Officers assigned to the Thirty Meter Telescope protester blockade and encampment on Maunakea Access Road issued 547 traffic citations and arrested 11 suspects in the week between Sept. 12-18, police said Thursday.
According to police, the citations were for the following: speeding, 209; excessive speeding, two; seat belt violations, 46; child restraint violation, one; use of cellphone or electronic device while driving, nine; excessive windshield/window tinting, five; driving without a license, 20; driving without insurance, 22; unsafe vehicle, 28; other moving violations, 22; no license plate, 26; and regulatory violations, 157.
No parking tickets were written, police said.
Police said the 11 individuals arrested were booked for the following offenses: DUI, five; contempt of court or failure to appear, five; open container of alcohol in vehicle, two; driving without a license, two; driving after license suspended or revoked, one; driving without insurance, two; and promoting a dangerous drug, one.
According to police, officers also conducted a nontraffic-related arrest on Sept. 13 after finding a theft suspect within the protesters’ camping area. The alleged theft was reported to police two days earlier in Kalapana.
Police say the suspect was found in the same tent where six Department of Transportation plastic barricades were located on Aug. 30.
According to police, officers responding to a verbal altercation between protesters discovered the barricades, which were recovered and returned to their place alongside the highway.
A felony theft investigation was opened, police say.
The five-week total since enhanced enforcement began Aug. 15 stands at 2,784 citations issued and 35 persons arrested for 57 offenses.
Police say the stepped-up enforcement will continue for the duration of the protest for the safety of motorists and pedestrians.
