The Projector: 'Mutual Respect and Aloha' on the Mountain, But No Meeting of the Minds

Tough Day on the Job Kekoa Kaluhiwa, first deputy director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, embraces a demonstrator Wednesday. Even as they pushed to reopen the way to the Thirty Meter Telescope construction site on Mauna Kea, DLNR officials and officers commiserated with the people opposing the project's location on what some consider sacred ground.
Protesters in the Mist Chanting demonstrators line the mountain access road as a DLNR motorcade approaches. Hundreds of protesters turned out to oppose the $1.4 billion project.
Mountain Meeting DLNR officers ask demonstrators to move out of the way of vehicles attempting to ascend from the Mauna Kea visitor center.
Involuntary Exit A TMT demonstrator is taken into custody after lying down and refusing to move out of the way of DLNR and construction vehicles.
Arrested With Aloha In all, 12 people are arrested Wednesday. Still, Gov. David Ige's call for 'a mutual respect and aloha' is generally heeded.
Respect for the Restrained Protesters show their support for an arrested demonstrator by touching the window of the van he was placed in.
A New Tactic Kaluhiwa, right, of the DLNR finds scores of big rocks on the roadway. Ultimately, the DLNR decides to turn around law enforcement and TMT support vehicles and close the road.
Traffic Jam The DLNR motorcade is stopped after it was discovered that stones have been strewn along the road. By Thursday afternoon, they had been removed but the road remained closed.
Feeling It Demonstrators celebrate as clouds and fog roll in near a hairpin turn in the road Wednesday. Moments later, the DLNR decides to turn back.
Turnaround Point DLNR and TMT support vehicles turn around and head back down the mountain. They did not return Thursday.
Obstacle Course Wednesday's developments prompt gubernatorial chief of staff Mike McCartney to say, 'We are disappointed and concerned that large boulders were found in the roadway ... This action is a serious and significant safety hazard and could put people at risk. Because of this, we are making an assessment to determine how to proceed.'
Lonely at the Top As if expecting the motorcade to return, a protester keeps watch as others walk back up the road.
Until Next Time A protester and a DLNR law enforcement officer hug after the announcement that the motorcade is turning around Wednesday.

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Cory Lum

Cory Lum was the chief photographer for Civil Beat.

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