According to an announcement issued today by the University of Hawaii, the Mauna Kea summit road beginning at the Halepohaku mid-level facilities will remain closed to all except authorized personnel.

The statement was issued by the University’s Office of Mauna Kea Management citing amid ongoing demonstrations against the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). The protestors constructed boulders, rock walls, and stone monuments to block TMT’s construction crews.

University exercised its authority last week under the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan in order to close the road due to hazardous conditions. The University Of Hawaii Office Of Mauna Kea Management worked with volunteers, some of whom were protesters to remove the rock structures.

In a press release statement, university officials said the obstructions prevented the university from grading the road, which is a necessary road safety procedure performed twice weekly.

The Visitor Information Station at the 9,200 foot level has also been closed until further notice for health and safety reasons.

Governor David Y. Ige addressed the issue during a scheduled appearance before the Maui Chamber of Commerce on Friday. He mentioned that they are currently working to find ways to enable the TMT project to proceed safely without putting workers, protestors and the general public at risk.

He said, “We listen to and understand differing points of view, and we respect the many cultures of this land, especially that of the host culture. I have done my very best to follow this process in the case of Mauna Kea and set forth a way forward that I believe is reasonable”.