Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Joins Hawaiian Protest Against Massive Telescope

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson joined a protest in Hawaii against plans to build a massive telescope.

The protest was started by indigenous Hawaiians who were against building a telescope on the Mauna Kea volcano.

The protest was demonstrated near the peak of the volcano, which is considered sacred ancestral land. Protestors have been there since July 15, which was the scheduled date for the beginning of construction.

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“What I realized today… it’s bigger than the telescope,” Johnson said. “It’s humanity. it’s the culture, it’s our people, Polynesian people, who are willing to die here to protect this land…this very sacred land that they believe in so powerfully.”

Hundreds of people have joined the protest and prevented construction despite the arrest of over 30 protestors in the initial days of the protest.

Johnson mentioned that the growing numbers of demonstrators illustrated the stakes for indigenous Hawaiians.

“When things escalate to that emotional apex, that is a sign that something has to be done,” the actor said. “To full charge ahead isn’t the way to do it.”

He continued to speak on the fact that the protest is not about stopping progress but to respect culture and the people.

“The whole idea about this [protest] is not about stopping progress. It’s not about stopping science. It’s about respecting a culture and respecting people and doing things the right way.”

The plan to build the telescope on the sacred volcano has been controversial since its announcement in 2009. Johnson and Jason Mamoa, who is of partial Hawaiian descent, also spoke out against the plan in 2015.

Johnson himself is of partial Samoan ancestry and spent part of his high school years in Honolulu.