Police increase traffic enforcement near telescope protest
MAUNA KEA — Police have issued about 100 tickets per day since last week for parking and traffic violations near the site of a protest against the construction of another telescope on Hawaii’s tallest mountain.
Big Island police Maj. Sam Jelsma tells the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that officers are not targeting protesters of the Thirty Meter Telescope project on Mauna Kea, but are increasing enforcement to maintain safety.
Jelsma says police are also setting up checkpoints for drunken driving and seat belts.
State Department of Transportation officials have placed signs prohibiting parking, stopping and unloading near the intersection of Daniel K. Inouye Highway and the road to the summit.
Protester Andre Perez says police have not directly communicated with demonstration leaders on any specific changes that need to be addressed in parking arrangements.
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Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, http://www.staradvertiser.com