WAILUKU, Hawaii — A telescope protester who asserted his right to speak Hawaiian in court earlier this year has been granted an interpreter in Wailuku District Court.
WAILUKU, Hawaii — A telescope protester who asserted his right to speak Hawaiian in court earlier this year has been granted an interpreter in Wailuku District Court.
The Maui News reports that a trial date was set for May 23 for 51-year-old Samuel Kaleikoa Kaeo.
Kaeo is among six protesters arrested Aug. 2 as dozens of protesters gathered to confront a convoy carrying equipment for the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope at the Haleakala summit. He has pleaded not guilty to charges.
A $750 bench warrant had initially been issued to Kaeo after Judge Blaine Kobayashi asked him four times to give his name in English during a court hearing in January. A day later, the warrant was recalled and the state Judiciary changed its policy for Hawaiian interpreters.
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Information from: The Maui News, http://www.mauinews.com
