HONOLULU (AP) – Seven men have been arrested for camping on Mauna Kea (mau-NAH’ kay-AH’), where there’s a new emergency rule restricting overnight access to the mountain because of protests against building a giant telescope there.
The arrests early Friday are the first enforcement efforts since the land board approved the rule July 10. The rule restricting access to the mountain during certain nighttime hours and prohibiting certain camping gear is prompted by protesters’ around-the-clock presence to prevent construction.
Protest leader Lanakila Mangauil (lah-NAH’-kee-lah mang-wheel) says officers arrived around 2 a.m. while protesters were praying. He says the seven arrested refused to leave.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources says officers also issued six citations to those who voluntarily left the mountain.
Protesters say they’re protecting sacred land from desecration.