Protesters call for military to leave Haleakalā on Maui

News admin September 16, 2026 0 Comments

Protesters call for military to leave Haleakalā on Maui

WAILEA (HawaiiNewsNow) – Dozens protested outside Wailea Beach Resort in South Maui on Tuesday where the Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference (AMOS) is taking place this week.

The conference is the top scientific gathering in the nation devoted to space situational awareness and has taken place on Maui every year since 1999.

This year, people held signs at the entrance to the conference saying they want AMOS out of Maui.

Hina Kneubuhl, with Protect Haleakalā Community Collective, said they are not against science or astronomy but want the military off Haleakalā.

“Haleakalā is an extremely important religious and spiritual site for Hawaiians, and it’s a treasure to the world, which is why it’s a conservation zone. So as Hawaiians, when we need to reconnect with our kupuna, when we need to recharge our maoli or our life force, we ho’i ka piko, we go back to the piko, and that is one of our main piko, and we don’t need or want the expansion of military activity there in our sacred space,” she said.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Air Force announced it is moving forward with plans to build seven more telescopes on Haleakalā.

That drew major opposition from those who consider the mountain sacred.

The military says the project is necessary for national security. Opponents call it continued desecration.

“This is a fight that’s been going on since our kupuna’s time,” Kneubuhl said. “People in the Hawaiian community didn’t want any of the telescopes that are up there currently, and this is yet another expansion, yet another acre on our most sacred ground.”

Although the conference is not about the additional telescopes planned for Haleakalā, the protesters say it is all connected.

“What I’d like them to understand is that we’re not against astronomy or science. What we’re against is building in our sacred space,” said Kneubuhl.

Space Force and conference organizer respond

U.S. Space Force Lt. Col. Douglas Thornton, 15th Space Surveillance Squadron commander, said the conference plays a role in international collaboration.

“Each year, the AMOS Conference brings together space professionals from international industry, academia, and civil space agencies to address critical issues in space domain awareness,” Thornton said. “As one of the leading forums for collaboration on space domain awareness, the conference is important to the U.S. Space Force because it strengthens partnerships, deepens shared understanding of the space environment, and provides opportunities to engage the Maui community.”

The Maui Economic Development Board, which organizes the conference, issued a statement supporting the right to peacefully protest.

“The Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) supports the right of individuals and organizations to peacefully express their views and respects the profound cultural significance of Haleakalā. As the organizer and neutral convener of the AMOS Conference, MEDB provides a forum for scientists, engineers, policymakers, educators and students from industry, academia, government, and nonprofits to advance international collaboration in space situational awareness, space sustainability, and the responsible and safe use of space. This year’s conference brings together 29 partner nations reflecting a shared commitment to scientific exchange, dialogue, and addressing challenges that affect the global space environment. MEDB does not own, have any affiliation with, operate, or make decisions regarding proposed federal facilities or projects, like AMOS STAR, which are subject to separate governmental review and public engagement processes,” said Leslie Wilkins, Maui Economic Development Board President & CEO.