UPDATE: Man Arrested in Mauna Kea Complaint

VLBA photo.

***Updated at 3:15 p.m. to include additional Hawai’i Police Department information.***

The Hawai’i Police Department reports that the property damage complaint at the Very Long Baseline Array led to the arrest of 30-year-old Kailua-Kona man James Coleman.

Officers responded at 9:30 a.m. to a report of a traffic accident involving a “disorderly man” at the summit of Mauna Kea.

HPD says further reports indicate that the man attempted to forcibly enter one of the facilities.

Coleman is being held at the South Hilo cellblock as an investigation continues.

***Original story posted 12:05 p.m.***

Police are en route to Mauna Kea as a report of someone attempting to vandalize a radio telescope has been reported, according to media reports.

The reported activity was at the Very Long Baseline Array, which is located in an area three miles below the mountain’s summit.

According to the Mauna Kea Visitor Station, the Mauna Kea Access Road was closed at about 10:45 a.m.

Ten telescopes make up the VLBA.

The Hawai’i Police Department was not available with additional information as of publication time.

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