KAILUA-KONA — A Kalapana woman has been cited for graffiti damage at the Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve.
KAILUA-KONA — A Kalapana woman has been cited for graffiti damage at the Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve.
Hope Cermelj was cited for prohibited activities within a Natural Area Reserve, in violation of Rule 13-209-4 (3) after graffiti was discovered on the sacred mountain last month. Officials speculated Monday that it was geared toward protesting the military testing at Pohakuloa Training Area.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enformcenet identified Cermelj thanks to tips, as well as assistance from the Native Hawaiian community.
Cermelj ran unsuccessfully for the state House District 4 seat in 2012.
Photos from the Department of Land and Natural Resources showed the words “stop bombing” spray painted onto large boulders in the historic Ice Age Natural Area Reserve of Mauna Kea.
Along with the defaced rocks along the Mauna Kea Access Road, Mauna Kea property managed by the University of Hawaii was also tagged. School spokesman Daniel Meisenzahl said there were two to three areas tagged including a portable bathroom and parking stall.
According to a press release posted on DLNR’s Facebook page, the graffiti was found painted on the rocks at mid-morning of April 28.