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Telescope Foes Tie Together, Block Road to Hawaii Summit

Associated Press

   MAUKA KEA, HAWAII - Hundreds of demonstrators gathered Monday at the
   base of Hawaii's tallest mountain to protest the construction of a
   giant telescope on land that some Native Hawaiians consider sacred.

   At about daybreak, a group of kupuna, or elders, tied themselves
   together with rope at the road to the summit of Mauna Kea. Another
   group of protesters were on the ground, attached to a cattle grate.

   Around them, protesters sang and chanted.

   The road was later officially closed, hours after it was essentially
   blocked by protesters. The prone elders tied together were expecting to
   be arrested.

   After two protest leaders spoke with police, they addressed the crowd
   and told them anyone who didn't move would be arrested. The group would
   move aside, but the elders were expected to remain, protest leaders
   Kaho'okahi Kanuha and Andre Perez said.

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