The construction of a new, powerful telescope is facing opposition from indigenous Hawaiian groups that believe the telescope construction site is on sacred land. 

Local police arrested 12 protesters Thursday when the group tried to block the road leading to the Mauna Kea summit located in Hawaii's Big Island. Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources officials also arrested 11 protesters that were on the construction site summit.

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Natives apparently believe the site where the giant telescope is being erected is sacred because this area is supposed to be where their creation story began, says Kealoha Pisciotta, one of the protesters.

Pisciotta claims the site holds the burial grounds of their sacred and most revered ancestors. It also serves as a sanctuary from the world around them and the home of their beloved god. She adds all the highest points in the islands are homes of their deities.

The native Hawaiian groups don't oppose the construction of the telescope project but contest the telescope being placed on Mauna Kea, the highest point in Hawaii.

Scientists value the site because it's an ideal location due to its remote and sheltered position. Considered one of the world's largest telescopes, the Thirty Meter Telescope will be nestled inside the crater of a dormant volcano.

Some 300 protesters showed up on the mountain. Some of them were arrested while trying to block trucks headed for the peak of the mountain. When the vehicles were allowed passage, some 40 to 50 people followed them.

Police warned protesters that anyone blocking these roads will be arrested. Arrested protesters each posted a US$250 bail each for their release.

According to Thirty Meter Telescope project manager Gary Sanders, the team regrets taking police action to enable their legal access of the project site.

Protesters and opponents of the land appraisals for the telescope project asked if Native Hawaiian groups were consulted first since this might have prevented the US$1.4 billion telescope project from going forward.

Dan Meisenzahl from the University of Hawaii said they're saddened by these arrests but access to the site should be made available at all times.

The university subleases the land on top of Mauna Kea for the telescope project. Protesters have free access to it as long as they don't break any laws.

The observatory and the Thirty Meter Telescope are expected to be operational by 2024.

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