Footage shows Hawaiians protesting the construction of a 1.4 billion dollar giant telescope on top of Mauna Kea, a volcano deemed sacred by locals.

The protest has received more attention after wrestling legend The Rock - real name Dwayne Johnson - appeared alongside residents during the demonstration on July 22.

The Hollywood star - whose blockbuster movie roles often include fictional battles with evil developers - grew up partially in Hawaii, and has ties to the island.

Dwayne leads calls to stop the construction of the 30-metre-high telescope on top of the volcano in Hawaii.

In an Instagram post, The Rock expressed his support for the protesters.

He said: "This issue is much greater than a telescope to be constructed on the Mauna.

It’s humanity and compassion. It's respect for the culture and approaching this with deep care and sensitivity.

"I’ll always be a strong advocate for the advancement of science and technology, but never at the sacrifice of human beings whose hearts are hurting thru mismanagement and breach of trust."

The much-delayed construction of the telescope, which was supposed to start last 2015, was given the green light by Hawaii Government.

Democrat governor David Ige ruled on June 10 that the non-profit project owner, the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory (TIO), could begin transportation of heavy equipment to the construction site July 15.

Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano on the island of Hawaii. Its peak is 4,207.3 m above sea level, making it the highest point in the state of Hawaii.

Footage shows Hawaiians protesting the construction of a 1.4 billion dollar giant telescope on top of Mauna Kea, a volcano deemed sacred by locals.

The protest has received more attention after wrestling legend The Rock - real name Dwayne Johnson - appeared alongside residents during the demonstration on July 22.

The Hollywood star - whose blockbuster movie roles often include fictional battles with evil developers - grew up partially in Hawaii, and has ties to the island.

Dwayne leads calls to stop the construction of the 30-metre-high telescope on top of the volcano in Hawaii.

In an Instagram post, The Rock expressed his support for the protesters.

He said: "This issue is much greater than a telescope to be constructed on the Mauna.

It’s humanity and compassion. It's respect for the culture and approaching this with deep care and sensitivity.

"I’ll always be a strong advocate for the advancement of science and technology, but never at the sacrifice of human beings whose hearts are hurting thru mismanagement and breach of trust."

The much-delayed construction of the telescope, which was supposed to start last 2015, was given the green light by Hawaii Government.

Democrat governor David Ige ruled on June 10 that the non-profit project owner, the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory (TIO), could begin transportation of heavy equipment to the construction site July 15.

Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano on the island of Hawaii. Its peak is 4,207.3 m above sea level, making it the highest point in the state of Hawaii.