MAUNA A WĀKEA
Mālama Mākua stands with Kiaʻi for the protection of sacred Maunakea
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Kū Kiaʻi Mauna! On Day 3 (Wednesday, July 17, 2019) of the Kiaʻi gathering by the hundreds and hundreds to block the Maunakea Access Road on Hawaiʻi Island, Mālama Mākua president Lynette Cruz spoke with media in front of ʻIolani Palace about standing in solidarity with Kiaʻi.
through the eyes of a Kupuna at maunakea
Long-time Native Hawaiian activist and Mālama Mākua founding member Sparky Rodrigues had taken his place among the Kūpuna who desired to get arrested first as Kiaʻi blocked the Maunakea Access Road to protect sacred Maunakea from desecration due to construction of yet another telescope. Thirty-three Kūpuna were arrested on Day 3 of the peaceful stand-off and Uncle Sparky was ready and willing. When there were only a few Kūpuna before him to get arrested, the peacefulness of moving of Kūpuna to large white vans by DLNR officers was shattered when police from Hawaiʻi, as well as Oʻahu and Maui, stormed the area in riot gear stormed as Kiaʻi raced to stand in front of the remaining Kūpuna, locking arms to forms several rows of human chains around the tents of the Kūpuna. The very tense standoff ended with the cops, armed with large batons, guns, pepper spray, helmets and an LRAD, retreated and left the area later.
The images below were photos taken by Uncle Sparky as he waited for what he thought was an inevitable arrest.
