The leader of the alleged Carbon Nation cult, Eligio Bishop, went to court today. The result? He and his followers will leave the island. The group of 21 arrived on the island last week, and signed the documents stating they understood the state’s 14-day quarantine. But within a day they were posting videos on their social media showing them at a local beach, violating the provision that they stay inside for the 14 days.
Hawaii County Prosecutor Mitch Roth spoke with frequent Facebook poster Damon Tucker and said Bishop was sentenced to 90 days in jail, which was suspended on the condition that he and his friends leave the island. Roth said the plan was to transport him from court to the airport, and ensure that he and his followers did leave as scheduled.
In a press conference today, Gov. David Ige said sometimes it’s more cost effective for the state, via Visitor Aloha Society Hawaii, to arrange for flights and pay for the tickets for somebody to leave the state rather than spend money on a jury trial and more jail time.
Members of the group said their initial intent was to stay on Hawaii Island, to relocate “to the jungle”.
Bishop had said via a social media post that the group felt pressured to leave the island: “We decided to leave because we are being harassed by the Hawaiian community. Putting our children and family in danger. We are getting death threats and more. We did not come here to cause trouble or hurt anyone. Yet we are being accused and harassed by Hawaii Citizens. Help us bring awareness to the discrimination.”
Bishop, who also calls himself “Nature Boy,” has posted numerous lengthy videos that explain his philosophies on science, nature, sexuality, and more. As he and others were preparing to speak with the police, he did a live Facebook video in which he asked for people to send money to help with bail, a lawyer, and more.
Some of the members of the group were staying on Pikake Street. The woman who rented them the home as a short-term vacation rental, 42-year-old Tylea Fuhrmann, was also arrested and charged for violating County of Hawai’i Mayor Kim’s COVID-19 Emergency Rule No. 4, prohibiting the operation of “short-term vacation rentals,” which have been deemed non-essential during the proclamation period.
Photo is a screen shot of one of dozens of videos posted online by Bishop.
