West Hawaii Today 7-13-15… “Mauna Kea summit road reopens”

I publish this one for information. I can tell you that I believe the 4-wheel-drive vehicle restriction to be unnecessary, but I can also see a positive effect of that by not having un-Mauna-Kea-trained visitors go up in 2 wheel drive vehicles, not knowing what they are doing.

However, I have been up in front 2-wheel drive (1986 Honda Accord, 2003 Volvo), rear 2-wheel drive (Chrysler New Yorker), and my AWD (2 or 4 wheel, if needed) CRV. Now, of course, I only go up to the top if “called”, for ceremony, or whatever. But only when I feel the Mauna has called me up.

I also believe that the phrase “the destructive actions of several individuals” is typical of the often used “blown quite out of proportion” statements by the state, et al. The actions of the Protectors was absolutely NOT destructive, in the sense that they prevented much greater destruction of the Mauna by TMT crews. And they did remove all of the rocks that were placed in the road.

Could it be that the “State of Hawaii” is blowing this all out of proportion in order to make themselves look better in the eyes of the MSM, and their readers, listeners?

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Mauna Kea summit road reopens

The Mauna Kea Summit Access Road reopened at 3 p.m. Monday, the University of Hawaii said.

The reopening follows remedial work and grading of the road that leads to the 13,796-foot summit of Mauna Kea. The access road closed June 24 when opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope blocked the summit road with stones, prompting its closure.

“The state seeks to provide safe access to Mauna Kea summit by all lawful users. Unfortunately, the destructive actions of several individuals temporarily rendered the mountain road unsafe since June 24. I am pleased UH has reopened the road following its damage assessment and repairs,” Gov. David Ige said.

The reopening follows an emergency rule by the Board of Land and Natural Resources Friday restricting access from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Vehicular access above the Halepohaku mid-level facilities will be by four-wheel drive vehicles only. Two-wheel drive vehicles will not be allowed past the end of the paved road at Halepohaku, officials said.

The Visitor Information Station and its restroom facilities will remain closed. Restrooms are available at the Mauna Kea Recreation Area and Puuhuluhulu at the junction of Saddle Road and the Mauna Kea Summit Access Road.

Portable toilets for the public are available on the summit.

http://westhawaiitoday.com/news/local-news/mauna-kea-summit-road-reopens