code of conduct

This is a Puʻuhonua, please act accordingly. We are in the presence of the mauna & strive to uphold the highest sense of cultural protocol. Mahalo for keeping the lāhui safe.

1 Kapu Aloha Always.

2 NO weapons, NO smoking of any kind and NO alcohol.

3 MĀLAMA each other.

4 Ask consent for any pictures or video.

5 Pick up ʻōpala you see.

6 BE PONO.

PRESS STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Statement from Puʻuhonua o Puʻuhuluhulu

STATE OF HAWAIʻI MAY BE WAGING AN UNETHICAL CAMPAIGN TO AGITATE AND INTIMIDATE MAUNAKEA PROTECTORS

PUʻUHULUHULU, HAWAIʻI, September 17, 2019 - The State of Hawaiʻi may be using unethical law enforcement tactics to harass, intimidate and vilify Maunakea protectors, incite fear in our communities, and escalate tensions in the Puʻuhonua. We are especially concerned about a recent act of possible misconduct by a law enforcement officer who attempted to turn protectors against each other and provoke tension and conflict among us.

We have video and audio documentation of the officer giving false information to one of our protectors in an apparent attempt to provoke him to retaliate against two supposed informants in our Puʻuhonua. This officer’s actions, the escalating law enforcement activity in and around Maunakea Access Road, combined with recent public statements by the State of Hawaiʻi, appears to be a concerted effort to create conflict within the Puʻuhonua, sway public opinion against protectors, and provide justification for forceful action against us.

Over the past 10 days, law enforcement actions have included:

• No notice “sobriety checkpoints” on the Daniel K. Inouye highway, manned by the

  Hawaiʻi County’s Special Response Team (SRT) and possibly State Sheriffs using Department of Transportation barricades on multiple nights, including this past Sunday night.

• State Sheriffs lining trucks along the road above the cattle guard on the Maunakea Access Road and shining high beams on kūpuna at 1:00 am on Monday, September 9 and Tuesday, September 10 for no apparent reason, causing anxiety and fear amongst the kūpuna.

• A blackhawk helicopter flying at a low-level over the kūpuna tent on Mauna Kea Access Road on Tuesday, September 10.

• Groups of 6 to 7 police vehicles staged in different areas near the Puʻuhonua over the last several days with no communication about their purpose, raising further anxiety.

  Even more egregious are actions that appear to be aimed at inciting hostility and conflict in the Puʻuhonua. On September 6, a law enforcement officer used a power saw to saw a Hawaiian flag in half. The choice of using the power saw to enter the building through the one panel where the flag was situated, rather than any other panel, seemed calculated. The unnecessary

destruction of the Hawaiian flag occurred within the Puʻuhonua and before a crowd of protectors that had assembled, suggesting an apparent attempt to inflame anger and test our Kapu Aloha.

On September 12, the State of Hawaiʻi held a press conference in which they accused protectors of negative environmental impacts at Puʻuhuluhulu, even though conservation efforts of the Kanaka Rangers are admittedly addressing the issue effectively.

On September 13, the State of Hawaiʻi held another press conference inferring a connection between protectors and random online comments that violate Kapu Aloha. Just yesterday, Governor Ige posted on his Facebook page the following: “If the activists say there’s no compromise, then it leaves the state with few options.” Painting protectors as the side offering no compromise without offering meaningful compromise of his own, appears intended to add to this campaign to malign protectors and embolden negative opinion against us.

Most concerning, however, is a police officer’s purposeful sharing of false information that had a high potential to provoke conflict between protectors. This kind of tactic has no place in Hawaiʻi.

We do not know whether the officer’s actions were his alone or part of a larger law enforcement effort. We ask that the officer’s personal information be kept confidential and that media use this information responsibly as we seek an investigation of his conduct.

These actions are possibly being employed to create a false pretext for the use of force on our peaceful protectors at Puʻuhuluhulu. However, they only serve to strengthen our resolve and commitment to Kapu Aloha, peaceful, non-violent conduct. We will not be provoked or distracted from our purpose, which is peaceful protection of Maunakea. We humbly ask everyone to join in our pledge to KAPU ALOHA.

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Media Contact
Pu‘uhonua o Pu‘uhuluhulu
Andre Perez - (808) 864-2336
Dr. Noe Noe Wong-Wilson - (808) 938-2884

PREVIOUS PRESS STATEMENTS

SEP 17, 2019 / SEP 6, 2019 / SEP 3, 2019 / JUL 30, 2019 / JUL 23, 2019 / JUL 16, 2019