Photo of the closed Mauna Kea Access Road by Nanci Munroe.
MAUNA KEA, Hawaii – The gravel road leading to the summit of Mauna Kea has been cleared of boulders, however the road has been temporarily closed until further notice.
According to the office of Governor David Ige:
The Office of Mauna Kea Management (OMKM) worked collaboratively with volunteers to ensure the rocks were safely and properly cleared from the roadway. The state continues to assess and monitor the situation to ensure the safety of the people on Mauna Kea. – Office of the Governor on June 25, 2015
Images on social media showed the protectors – who allegedly put the rocks on the road during Wednesday’s standoff on the mountain – helping to clear the road, as well.
The state says the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan authorizes the University of Hawaii to close the road in the event of hazardous conditions and emergencies.
The state says the Mauna Kea Visitors Center is also closed until further notice. Bathrooms, too.
The VIS posted this statement on its website today:
“Due to ongoing events, access to the VIS and beyond has been blocked. The VIS is closed until further notice. We are currently assessing the situation and we do not know when we will reopen. Check this website for updates. We apologize for the inconvenience. Mahalo for your understanding. – Mauna Kea VIS staff on June 25, 2015
Tour companies cancelled trips to the summit today, too. Messages went out on social media today.
Thursday June 25th 2:30PM
STATUS: TOUR CANCELLED
Scenario : The authorities have kept the road closed due to TMT protest activities.
— Mauna Kea (@maunakeatours) June 26, 2015
The state says the Office of Mauna Kea Management will have updates on the status of the access road to Mauna Kea and Mauna Kea Visitors Center.
Meanwhile, the Office of Mauna Kea Management is holding a previously scheduled open houses to discuss content of Administrative Rules for public and commercial activities on the mountain. Tonight’s meeting in Waimea at the DHHL’s Kuhio Hale starts at 5 p.m.
by Big Island Video News
on at
STORY SUMMARY
MAUNA KEA, Hawaii – The gravel road leading to the summit of Mauna Kea has been cleared of boulders, however the road has been temporarily closed until further notice. According to the office of Governor David Ige: The Office of Mauna Kea Management (OMKM) worked collaboratively with volunteers to ensure the rocks were safely and […]