MAUNA KEA, Hawaii – It was a pivotal moment on Mauna Kea. April 2, 2105, when 31 people were arrested for refusing to yield the summit road to Thirty Meter Telescope construction crews. The choice to be arrested rather than stand aside galvanized opposition to the planned $1.4 billion observatory. One year later and the permit for the Thirty Meter Telescope to build on Mauna Kea was vacated by the Hawaii Supreme Court and remanded back to the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Most of the 31 arrested on the mountain on April 2 have since had their cases dismissed or charges dropped.

SERIES: BEFORE THE ARRESTS