Ten ‘Mauna Kea 31’ Protesters Will Have Charges Dropped

Ten of the “Mauna Kea 31″ arrested in early April for protesting atop the slopes of Mauna Kea against the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope will have their charges dropped.

The Associated Press reported Friday morning that Hawai’i County Prosecuting Attorney Mitch Roth said the cases against those who were charged with trespassing will be dropped, although they may be re-filed later.

Roth was unavailable for comment Friday morning when Big Island Now inquired.

Reports say Roth will keep the charges against the remaining 21 who were arrested for obstruction of government operations.

On April 2, the Hawai’i Police Department arrested 12 individuals between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. The Department of Land and Natural Resources made an additional 19 arrests in what DLNR officials said was necessary “to preserve and protect public safety and public access on Mauna Kea.”

Since the April incident, construction has been halted at the TMT site. Governor David Ige stated earlier this week, however, that construction can legally continue.