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Jason Momoa posed in front of one of th 13 observatories already on Mauna Kea. |
Momoa, who has born in Hawaii, visited the hundreds of demonstrators encamped at the base of Mauna Kea on the Big Island on Wednesday. He had been supporting the movement to stop the construction of the Thirty-meter Telescope (TMT), which would occupy a site about the size of a football stadium and stand 18-stories high. Native Hawaiians consider the dormant volcano a sacred mountain.
"I'm so very honored to be here ... to bring my children and all my (family) here," Momoa told reported CNN affiliate KGMB/KHNL. "There's one thing that's not gonna happen. That telescope's not being built here."
Momoa, best known for playing comic book superhero Aquaman in the movies, was welcomed with a ceremony complete with hula dances and chanting, reports CNN.
Dwayne Johnson made a surprise visit to Mauna Kea late last month to lend his support to the demonstrators who have blocked the road to the telescope construction site since July 15. Johnson, the actor and former wrestler lived in Hawaii as a child.
“You have men, women, children and elderly — kupuna that we call them — who aren’t leaving,” Johnson told the Star Advertiser. “And they are so steadfast and passionate about the sacredness of this land.”
Johnson, one of the most popular actors in Hollywood who has stated his interest in running for political office one day, offered to help with talks between the state and protesters, KGMB/KHNL reported.
Among the host of other celebrities who have expressed their support of the Mauna Kea protectors include Grammy-winning Filipino American Bruno Mars, who was born on the Hawaiian island of Oahu; Damian Marley, son of reggae legend Bob Marley, performed . some of his father's protest songs for the demonstrators; Nicole Scherzinger, a Filipina American who grew up in the islands.
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Nicole Scherzinger posted this image on her Instagram account. |
Meanwhile, the demonstrators said they would abandon the mountain slope if an approaching hurricane hits the island.
Hawaii's Gov. David Ige on Tuesday rescinded an emergency proclamation put in place to deal with native Hawaiian protesters. Ige said there were no immediate plans to move heavy equipment to Mauna Kea's summit.
He also noted two hurricanes were approaching that could affect the protest area and the rest of the state.
Hurricane Erick, approaching from the east, is forecast to pass south of the Big Island later this week. Following right after is Hurricane Flossie, which appears on track to come close to the islands early next week.
Hawaii's Gov. David Ige on Tuesday rescinded an emergency proclamation put in place to deal with native Hawaiian protesters. Ige said there were no immediate plans to move heavy equipment to Mauna Kea's summit.
He also noted two hurricanes were approaching that could affect the protest area and the rest of the state.
Hurricane Erick, approaching from the east, is forecast to pass south of the Big Island later this week. Following right after is Hurricane Flossie, which appears on track to come close to the islands early next week.
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| San Francisco Giant Madison Bumgardner had his bat engraved with "We Are Mauna Kea." |
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