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TMT protesters gather at state Capitol to support kupuna on Mauna Kea

By Bruce Asato and Gen Yamaguchi

Dec. 26, 2019

Thirty Meter Telescope

1/23
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BRUCE ASATO / BASATO@STARADVERTISER.COM

Almost two dozen people turned out for a gathering at the state Capitol to express their support for the kupuna on Mauna Kea on Thursday. Kahu Brad Lum called the morning's participants together to remind them why they were there.
2/23
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BRUCE ASATO / BASATO@STARADVERTISER.COM

Kahu Brad Lum, middle, partially wrapped in a state flag, called talked to the participants on Oahu before the rally.
3/23
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BRUCE ASATO / BASATO@STARADVERTISER.COM

TMT protesters waved their flags on South Beretania Street to garner support from passing motorists.
4/23
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BRUCE ASATO / BASATO@STARADVERTISER.COM

Stephen Chinen held an upside down Hawaii state flag while he waved on the street fronting the state Capitol.
5/23
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BRUCE ASATO / BASATO@STARADVERTISER.COM

Anelalani Livingston-Sturge held a Hawaii state flag while she waved on the street fronting the state Capitol.
6/23
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GEN YAMAGUCHI / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

Protesters are seen camped alongside Saddle Road (Route 200), Pu’u Huluhulu and Mauna Kea Access Road on Thursday. Many tents are set up on both sides of Saddle Road.
7/23
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GEN YAMAGUCHI / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim has promised there will be no construction activity by the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea and no police action to clear out the anti-telescope protesters during the next two months provided the protesters agree to move off the Mauna Kea Access Road.
8/23
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GEN YAMAGUCHI / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

The kupuna or elders who have led the protest agreed to Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim's proposal after meeting on Thursday for about two hours to discuss it, which means the access road will be cleared. However, protest leader Noe Noe Wong-Wilson said the TMT opponents remain determined that the telescope will never be built.
9/23
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GEN YAMAGUCHI / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim said in an interview on Thursday the new agreement was triggered in part by a news release issued by Gov. David Ige on Dec. 19 that pointedly stated state officials are supporting the county as it attempts to clear the Mauna Kea Access Road so that TMT construction can proceed.
10/23
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GEN YAMAGUCHI / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim said that up to that point the county had no authority on the access road, and “everybody knows that.” Kim said he called Gov. David Ige and asked if Ige was saying that the responsibility of clearing the road now rests with the county, and Ige agreed that it does.
11/23
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GEN YAMAGUCHI / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim said it is possible the new agreement with the protesters will be extended for longer than two months.
12/23
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GEN YAMAGUCHI / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

A woman makes spam musubi on a truck bed.
13/23
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GEN YAMAGUCHI / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

Turkey was being prepared for breakfast inside a tent.
14/23
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GEN YAMAGUCHI / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

People fold their tent camps and load their belongings on to trucks.
15/23
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GEN YAMAGUCHI / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

People fold their tent camps and load their belongings on to trucks.
16/23
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GEN YAMAGUCHI / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

Donations were being dropped off on the south side of the camps.
17/23
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GEN YAMAGUCHI / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

People gather for the morning ceremony while others watch from a close distance.
18/23
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GEN YAMAGUCHI / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

People gather for the morning ceremony and perform hula.
19/23
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GEN YAMAGUCHI / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

A man performs a dance a distance away from the morning ceremony.
20/23
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GEN YAMAGUCHI / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

A quiet moment towards the end of the morning meeting.
21/23
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GEN YAMAGUCHI / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

Family and friends hang out inside their tent.
22/23
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GEN YAMAGUCHI / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

The anchors and colorful ropes of the many tents that are set up are seen at the Mauna Kea site.
23/23
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GEN YAMAGUCHI / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER

Men guard and guide people crossing and assist donations at the entrance of the camp alongside of Saddle Road.
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