October 25, 2019
Hawaii

HPD denies claims from wind farm opponent that he was tased, punched by officers during arrest

By Eliza Larson | KITV | October 24th, 2019 | www.kitv.com

18-year-old Stetson “Mana” Morales has been arrested twice during the demonstrations against the Kahuku wind farm, Na Pua Makani.

His story was reported in the Star Advertiser.

Morales’ first arrest was last week Thursday in Kalaeloa. He was arrested there again Sunday. During Sunday’s events, he chained himself to a cattle gate in order to prevent trucks from leaving Kalaeloa.

According to Morales, some officers were respectful but others reportedly punched him and used a taser on him, all while he allegedly still had chains around his neck.

Honolulu Police denies the claim and released police footage from his arrest.

Chief Susan Ballard is out of town, so Acting Chief John McCarthy addressed reporters. He said officers did ask Morales to remove himself, but he refused so they had to cut him loose.

At one point, McCarthy said officers covered Morales’ head with a blanket to protect him while they cut at the chain.

McCarthy said there are no records of tasers being used on protesters at Kalaeloa or Kahuku. He said HPD officers have been professional, but he has concerns with protesters tactics.

“The protesters in this case are definitely not exercising kapu aloha and that’s been a concern of ours,” he said. “The protesters have been taunting our officers, threatening our officers. Telling them to quit their jobs. The officers have done a tremendous job keeping their composure.”

The demonstrators are against the eight-turbine project, claiming it’s too close to their community and could pose problems. They’ve been trying to block the transport of the parts.

There have been a total of 111 arrests so far, some are repeat offenders. Honolulu Police arrested four people Wednesday night. All four posted one-hundred dollars bail each.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2019/10/25/hpd-denies-claims-from-wind-farm-opponent-that-he-was-tased-punched-by-officers-during-arrest/