Native Hawaiian groups are opposing scientists who have been hoping to see celestial objects as far as 13 billion light years away. According to the scientists, if they succeed in seeing 13 billion light years away, they will be able to see in the early years of the universe, but Native Hawaiian groups said that the construction site of a new telescope is on sacred land.

On Thursday, hundreds of protesters gathered at the mountain and started opposing the new project. Police arrested more than 10 people who according to the police were trying to block a road that led to the summit of Mauna Kea on Hawaii's Big Island. Eleven more protestors were arrested by the police at the top of the peak, according to reports.

Earlier, scientists revealed that they chose a site of a new telescope that will allow them to look 13 billion light years away, but Native Hawaiians believe that the site is sacred. According to the scientists, the location that they have chosen is the best for one of the world's largest telescopes because the area is remote.

Native Hawaiian groups, who have been opposing the project, questioned whether land appraisals were done correctly. Project opponents also questioned whether the Native Hawaiian groups were consulted before the start of the project. While talking about Thursday's arrest of more than 10 protesters, project leaders said that they regret the arrests, but safe access to the construction site was needed to be preserved.

The Native Hawaiian groups have not been opposing the construction of about Thirty Meter Telescope itself, they disagree with constructing it on Mauna Kea. Kealoha Pisciotta, a project opponent, said, "It is the burial grounds of some of our most sacred and revered ancestors. It is a place where we go for sanctuary and release from the world around us, and it is also the home of our god".