Protectors on Mauna Kea Warmed by Eighth Generation Blankets

The Eighth Generation team was eager to join the Muckleshoot tribe and others in sending gifts of solidarity to our Hawaiian relatives protecting their sacred mountain against a massive Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), a multi-billion dollar construction project. 

Mauna Kea protectors carrying Eighth Generation Tribute Wool Blanket by Jared Yazzie (Diné), Voyages Throw Blanket by Kyle Reyes (Hawaiian/Japanese/Filipino), a Respect Your Elders shirt, and a Guardians shirt. 

On July 15th, the day TMT was scheduled to break ground, protectors lined up on Mauna Kea to guard the area from construction that would destroy the sacred site. It's now been over a month since they have taken a peaceful stance, not as an opposition against science, but as protectors of their sacred mountain.  

The Eighth Generation team at our Seattle studio learning about Mauna Kea from Ryan Kupono Akina and Sui-Lan Ho'okano.

Two protectors, Ryan Kupono Akina and Sui-Lan Ho'okano, graciously stopped by our studio a couple weeks ago. Ryan had just gotten back from Mauna Kea and Sui-Lan was on her way. This was an amazing educational opportunity for the Eighth Generation team, and we're grateful to have learned about the cultural underpinnings of the resistance.

Billy Freitas and Sui-Lan Ho'okano in our Lightning Horse Wool Blanket by John Isaiah Pepion (Blackfeet) and our Good Medicine shirt. 

Sui-Lan Ho'okano, protector and friend of Eighth Generation, says she believes "it’s important for the audience to understand our unified movements in supporting one another and reestablishing our historical stories and relationships with our relatives across the Moana (oceans) as we begin to educate about the cultural environmental injustices that have plagued our First Nations and people."

Kawaiolanai Sui-Lan, Keoni Turalde, and other protectors in our Tribute Wool Blanket by Jared Yazzie (Diné) and Reflection Wool Blanket by Michelle Lowden (Acoma Pueblo).

We are honored to know our blankets may be comforting to protectors who are currently on Mauna Kea doing this important work, including elders who were on the front line and were the first to get arrested. 

Here are all the ways you can support the Mauna Kea protectors:

1. If you're able, please consider donating.

• Hawai'i Community Bail Fund - All the protectors are at risk of being arrested. You can donate to help protectors with cash bail.
• Hawaiian Airlines Miles - You can donate any extra Hawaiian Airlines Miles to help other protectors travel to Mauna Kea.
• KAHEA Aloha ʻĀina Support Fund - This fund "prioritizes frontline logistical support for non-violent direct actions taken to protect Mauna Kea from further industrial development."
• HULI - Contributions will "directly fund action support for the protection of Maunakea including non-violent direct action training, frontline resistance and logistics, community organizing, campaign work and action art."

2. Contact decision makers to express your support for Mauna Kea.

• Fill out this Google Form - The state of Hawai'i is asking for comments supporting or opposing the Thirty Meter Telescope to be submitted.
• You can also contact the following key-decision makers: 
• Hawai'i Governer David Ige
• Hawai'i Island Mayor Harry Kim
• University of Hawai'i

3. Use your voice and sign these petitions.

• Change.org Petition Against TMT Construction - Join over 200,000 people who are against “any construction made on sacred land without the free, prior and informed consent of Kānaka Maoli.”
• Affiliates of AURA Institutions Against TMT - If you or someone you know is affiliated with an Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) university like Stanford, University of Hawai'i, University of Washington, Boston University, UC Berkeley, UCSB, University of Arizona, University of Florida, and many more - please sign and share!  

Thank you to all the protectors on Mauna Kea. You can read more regarding Mauna Kea here.