A July Snowstorm in Hawaii? The Mountain Answers Protectors’ Prayers

“It’s summer in Hawaii and Poliʻahu, the snow goddess, came to grace us in mid-July, the hottest month of the year. This is the power of pule (prayer) and believing in your culture and where you come from,” wrote Ku’uipo Freitas on Facebook. (Ku’uipo Freitas/Facebook via Indian Country Today)

by Christina Rose, Indian Country Today, July 21, 2015

It seems Mauna Kea herself has joined in the resistance of the construction of the copy.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope. On Saturday, July 18 at about 3 a.m., there was a snowstorm on top of the mountain—in the midst of one of the hottest spells some can remember in their lifetime. The protectors, dressed in sweatshirts and warm jackets, shivered against the cold and rejoiced in the reawakening and reconnection of the people and the mountain.

Hawaii: Giant telescope work crews turn back; 11 arrested

One of eleven people arrested today blockading construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope.

West Hawaii Today, June 24, 2015

Workers trying to make their way up Mauna Kea to restart construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope were forced to turn back after protesters blocked the road to the summit with a trail of large rocks.

Starting early this morning, five trucks being escorted by police were stopped repeatedly by more than 300 protesters who set up about two dozen “lines of defense” across the Mauna Kea access road near the Visitor Information Station, which is located at the 9,200-feet elevation.

Hawaii: Governor announces 1 week halt of Mauna Kea telescope construction

Thirty Meter Telescope protesters chant after being arrested from the telescope building site on the summit of Mauna Kea in Hilo, Hawaii, Thursday, April 2, 2015.

Hawaii News Now, April 7, 2015

HONOLULU – In a Tuesday news conference, Gov. David Ige announced that TMT construction has agreed to a one week halt of work at the summit of Mauna Kea.

Ige said,”The president of the University (Hawaii) and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs have agreed to a timeout on the project and there will be no construction activities this week.”

Hawaii: Protesters arrested blocking road to giant telescope construction site

New Zealand Herald, April 3, 2015

Protesters on Hawaii’s Big Island have been blocking the road to a mountain peak where one of the world’s largest telescopes is being built.

Hawaii County police spokeswoman Chris Loos said Thursday that some people have been arrested for blocking the road to the Mauna Kea summit, which is held sacred by Native Hawaiians.