OHA Shows Support for Mauna Kea ‘Protectors’

After eight were arrested on Mauna Kea early Wednesday morning, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs released a statement in support of the individuals practicing Hawaiian traditional and customary practices.

“OHA contiues to question the legality of the recently adopted Department of Land and Natural Resources rules under which the arrests were made. These rules do not account for the constitutionally protected rights of Native Hawaiians to engage in traditional and customary practices,” OHA released in a statement.

Following the July 31 arrests of seven individuals atop Mauna Kea, OHA chairman Robert Lindsey called for the state to halt enforcement of its emergency rules.

Lindsey noted in July that the enforcement of the emergency rules should cease until certain legal questions are answered.

Wednesday morning’s arrests were the second wave since the emergency management rules were set in place in July. The rules measure received a 5-2 vote from the State of Hawai’i Board of Land and Natural Resources on July 11 and was signed by Governor David Ige on July 14.