Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

April 8, 2015

HAWAI'I Kanaka Maoli Warriors: Governor's Temporary Halt to Desecration

KANAKA MAOLI WARRIORS OF THE GROUP SACRED MAUNA KEA HUI RELEASE STATEMENT ABOUT HAWAII GOVERNOR IGES HALT OF THE TMT PROJECT CONSTRUCTION FOR ONE WEEK

By Kaiulani Milham, Kamahana Kealoha  sacredmaunakea@gmail.com
MAUNA KEA, Hawaii Island, April 7, 2015  Kanaka warriors representing several islands in the Hawaiian Islands and a multi-ethnic group of supporters continue their vigil at 9,000 feet above sea level to protect Mauna Kea also known as Mauna A Wakea on Hawaiʻi Island. Worldwide attention is growing.

The warriors (or protectors) are protecting the mountain from the construction of a 30-meter telescope (TMT), which is a desecration of the most sacred place in the Hawaiian Islands. The peaceful protest has been ongoing for several years but in the past several months has gathered more momentum and support from Hawaiians and other non-Hawaiians around the world.

Please see the link below for background on the following statements:

After Hawaii Governor Iges announcement today directing the TMT project halt construction for a one-week period the Sacred Mauna Kea Hui (www.sacredmaunakea.wordpress.com) issued the following statement for immediate release:

"Although the Sacred Mauna Kea Hui appreciates a welcome reprieve from the desecration of our sacred mountain summit and endangerment of our fresh water aquifer and endangered species environment, we know that these are still in danger unless a permanent moratorium is obtained.

This reprieve will also give the multi-billion dollar international TMT corporation, which has been allowed to circumvent the law, time to begin its process of identifying a new location outside of Hawaii for their TMT project.

We also hope this one-week moratorium will give the State of Hawaii, as well as the University of Hawaii and the Department of Land and Natural Resources the time needed to review the possible breaches of public trust the TMT project has caused. It will also give the DLNR time to review the possible abuses of the Conservation District Use Application processa process that has permitted complete industrialization and desecration of a sacred conservation district and endangered species environment." (Kamahana Kealoha, Sacred Mauna Kea Hui Facilitator)

Sacred Mauna Kea is receiving donations from Native American tribes, and others, for the purpose of supporting all efforts to protect Mauna Kea, including future bail for kupuna. Kupuna, up to 75 years of age, were among the first protectors taken away during the arrest of more than 30 protectors on Thursday, April 2.

Supporters bailed out all of the detainees within hours of their arrests. Funds such as Sacred Mauna Kea continue to welcome donations to assist with any future bail. The group also is continuing to request donations for flights to and from Hawaiʻi between the other Hawaiian islands as well as much-needed accommodations, including food, ground transportation and other essentials. Visit www.gofundme.com/sacredmaunakea.

For more information and updates, visit http://sacredmaunakea.wordpress.com/. On Twitter #AOLETMT.

Previous article on the resistance at Censored News 
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2015/04/hawaii-mauna-kea-vigil-grows-defending.html

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