Gov. David Ige said Friday he and or state employees received death threats amid heated debate over building a giant telescope on state’s highest peak. Ige disclosed threats as he and his cabinet members held a news conference asking people on all sides of issue to be careful with ir langu. 

“I hope you die” 

Attorney General Clare Conrs played a voicemail recording in which an unidentified man told a state employee, “I hope you die.” She showed reporters a social media post offering a $5,000 reward for identity of a law enforcement officer involved in last week’s demolition and removal of a small wooden house built by demonstrators near camp where y are blocking telescope’s construction. “I hope that we can all agree that putting a bounty on he of law enforcement officer is disturbing and deeply concerning,” Conrs said. “It’s dangerous. This law enforcement officer showed up to work that day and was doing his job when he found himself in an untenable situation.”

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Ro to Mauna Kea’s summit blocked

issue of Thirty Meter Telescope has engulfed Hawaii since mid-July when state anunced construction would begin after a dece-long permit and appeals process. Protesters have blocked ro to Mauna Kea’s summit for past two months, preventing building from getting underway. y oppose construction because y believe top of mountain is sacred. Ige said re’s been improper langu on both sides, ting he’s seen “terrible and racist” things written about protesters in comment sections of news sites online. “Whatever happens to this project, those kinds of postings are t acceptable here. y don’t represent who we are and I urge public to completely reject m,” Ige said.

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William Aila, chairman of state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, said he fears rhetoric will incite someone to do harm. He said state employees and ir families are deeply affected by attacks on social media. “This is t fabric of Hawaii that I grew up kwing,” Aila said. One of protest leers condemned hateful langu and act of putting a bounty on anyone. 

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We are here to protect a sacred mauna: Andre Perez

“Our mess to people on social media is to maintain kapu aloha,” said Andre Perez, using Hawaiian term for a philosophy of peace and nviolence protesters have vowed to opt while y oppose telescope. “Don’t put out violent langu. Do t target individuals. Do t post people’s personal info that puts m at risk,” Perez said. He said ir focus isn’t about attacking or hurting people. “We are here to protect a sacred mauna,” he said, using Hawaiian word for mountain. 

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