The Stream

Hawaiians protest construction of telescope on sacred ground

Project temporarily halted as protests continue.

Native Hawaiians are protesting the planned construction of a 30-metre telescope on Mauna Kea. Demonstrations on the site began March 30th when activists formed a roadblock around the Mauna Kea visitors’ centre to stop the $1.4 billion dollar project. Protesters, calling themselves the Protectors of Mauna Kea, believe the site is the “most sacred” land on all of the islands, but the telescope’s developer and the University of Hawaii contend the land is owned by the state.