State won’t re-file charges against 38 kupuna arrested in TMT protest

Day three of TMT protests at Mauna Kea.
Day three of TMT protests at Mauna Kea.
Published: Jan. 10, 2023 at 6:01 PM HST|Updated: Jan. 10, 2023 at 6:10 PM HST
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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The state announced Tuesday it will not be re-filing charges against 38 kupuna arrested in the 2019 TMT protest.

Hawaii’s Attorney General Anne E. Lopez issued the decision.

She said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon:

After extensive litigation in the original prosecution, dismissal of the cases in 2022, and careful consideration of the benefits of re-prosecution to the State of Hawaii, I have decided that the continued pursuit of these cases is not in the best interests of the people of the State of Hawaii.

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In July 2019, 38 kupuna were arrested after trying to stop construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope project.

Most of the cases were dismissed because of a procedural technicality.

Gov. Josh Green said he appreciates the decision and that “the time has come to build a new pathway forward.”