Star Bulletin file photo
The Queen Liliuokalani statue, dedicated April 10, 1982, graces
the mall between the state Capitol and the Iolani Palace grounds.
Eight state senators believe that the palace grounds would be a
more fitting place for the 6-foot-high sculpture. There are others,
however, who say relocating "The Spirit of Liliuokalani"
would not agree with plans to restore the palace grounds.

Statue to bid
Aloha ‘Oe to site?

By Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin

TWO Senate committees are expected to vote Monday on whether to move the Queen Liliuokalani statue from the Capitol Mall to the Iolani Palace grounds.

Known as "The Spirit of Liliuokalani," the 6-foot-high sculpture by Marianna Pineda was dedicated April 10, 1982, on the mall between the state Capitol and the palace grounds.

The statue recognizes the important historic role of Hawaii's last ruling monarch and is one of the most honored statues in the state, popular not only with visitors but with residents, who often decorate it with leis and flowers.

But eight senators have signed a resolution asking the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to move the statue to the palace grounds, which they believe would be a more fitting place.

The Senate committees on Education and Technology, and on Water, Land and Hawaiian Affairs, held a joint hearing on Senate Concurrent Resolution 109 on Wednesday.

Others, however, including the Friends of Iolani Palace and the Department of Land and Natural Resources, oppose the move because it does not fit in with plans to restore the palace grounds to the way it was during the monarchy.

"The placement of the queen's statute has its own historic origin which is irrevocably linked to the Hawaii State Capitol," said Alice Guild, acting managing director of the Friends of Iolani Palace.

"To move the statue to a location fronting Iolani Palace, as the resolution proposes, defeats the very purpose for which it was commissioned."