According to reports, on Tuesday, Gov. David Ige signed the emergency rule that restricts entrance to Mauna Kea. Reports say that a 5-2 vote of the state Board of Land and Natural Resources approved the emergency rule.

The emergency rule will restrict people from using the road between the hours of 10 pm and 4 am. According to Ige, the rule will be applicable for 120 days only and with this, the state will have an extra tool to ensure the safety of road for all.

He added, "My administration believes firmly in the right of free expression. At the same time we cannot let some people put others at risk of harm or property damage. This temporary rule helps strike that balance". He added that he is asking everyone to use the road to exercise caution and abide by the law.

The mountain includes the site of the $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope project that has been protested by a number of people in the Native Hawaiian community. As per reports, there were plans to start construction in April and it has been delayed two times since then.

According to Attorney General Doug Chin, the emergency rule was driven by issues that were created by protestors, together with strained resources like water and electricity, threats to workers and boulders that protestors used to block the road.