The University of Hawaii Office of Mauna Kea Management announced on Monday that the Mauna Kea summit road on Hawaii's Big Island is closed until maintenance and damage assessment are completed, following last week's protests that postponed the start of construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope.

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Kaleo has learned that the summit road will be closed to all but authorized personnel until further notice.

University of Hawaii is in the process of assessing damage to the road, as well as checking the stability of slopes for potential rock falls. The road was closed due to the following reasons: the presence of boulders on the road, rock walls that obstructed some parts of the road and the erection of two ahus.

Amid the decision to close the road, the Office of Mauna Kea Management worked with volunteers to ensure the rocks were safely and properly cleared from the roadway. Hawaii continues to assess, examine and monitor the situation to ensure the safety of the Mauna Kea locals, as per a statement from Governor Ige's office. 

The statement added that the Mauna Kea visitors center is also closed until further notice.

In the same statement released Friday, Gov. David Ige called the actions of the protesters "an act of vandalism" and he promised that the state will "do whatever is necessary to ensure lawful access." 

Meanwhile, UH spokesman Dan Meisenzahl said that the road could be reopened as soon as the end of this week, Pacific Business News has learned. 

Meisenzahi added, "We have to do a complete assessment which "might take some days. We have to walk the road- it's a two to three mile stretch to check on." 

Meisenzahi went on to say that their main focus right now is providing safe access and ensuring that the Mauna Kea summit road will be reopened as soon as possible. He revealed that they are doing their best to do so while working with the attorney general's office, the governor's office and DNLR.

Last Wednesday, protesters gathered on the said road in hopes of hampering the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope. Though the crews of the construction managed to reach about 1.5 miles up the seven-mile road, they decided to turn around when large rocks were tossed toward them. Authorities have since arrested 11 people, according to Fox10tv.com.

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