TMT Protester Arrests Begin Atop Mauna Kea

Arrests have begun on Mauna Kea, as opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope block access to the TMT site

It’s currently unknown how many arrests have been made, as arrests are currently in progress.

Hundreds gathered atop Mauna Kea Wednesday morning anticipating the arrival of Thirty Meter Telescope construction workers.

According to an Associated Press report, a TMT spokeswoman said crews were on their way.

Protesters were met early in the morning by Department of Land and Natural Resource officers.

The AP reports that protest leader, Kahookahi Kahuna says hundreds of people are blocking the area at the 9,200-feet elevation and that another group is higher up to also block the road.

Some of the protestors told media outlets in the past week that they were “bracing to be arrested” and that bail and other details had been figured ahead of the potential arrests.

On April 2 individuals were arrested for blocking access to the TMT construction site. The 31 are now known as the “Mauna Kea 31,” or “Koakuamauna.”