StarBulletin.com

Self-professed king faces break-in charge


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POSTED: Thursday, October 02, 2008

The state has charged a Maui resident who allegedly broke into Iolani Palace about two weeks ago with unlawful entry. Claiming to be the king of Hawaii, he allegedly had intended to chain himself to the throne, but could not find it.

State authorities charged Majesty Akahi Nui, also known as James Kimo Akahi, yesterday with unlawful entry into Iolani Palace. He was released after posting $5,000 bail.

The charge stems from an attempted takeover by the Kingdom of Hawaii, Nation, of Iolani Palace on Aug. 15. Akahi is scheduled to appear before Circuit Judge Derrick Chan on Monday.

Six other kingdom members - Akahi's wife, Queen Akahi Wahine, also known as Grace Akahi; Vanessa Fimbres; Terry Kaahanui and his wife, Tanya Kaahanui; and Wayne Nunes and his daughter Waynette Nunes, also known as Raynette Nunes, were charged previously with second-degree burglary. They were to appear in Circuit Court today.

Deputy Attorney General Mark Miyahira said the charges were for unlawful entry of the Iolani Palace building with the intent to commit a crime against a person or property. Each faces a maximum term of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine for the offense, a Class C felony.

After his arrest on Aug. 15, Akahi was released without charges due to medical reasons. State authorities met Akahi at Kahului Airport yesterday before flying to Oahu.

“;He was cooperative,”; Miyahira said.

Another group member, Donald A. Love-Boltz, who claims to be a federal marshal, was charged previously with second-degree assault for allegedly swinging a gate on palace facilities manager Betty Jean Noelani Ah Yuen. His trial is set for Nov. 10.

Cases for 15 others who were charged with second-degree criminal trespassing are still being reviewed by the state attorney general's office and the prosecutor's office.

Akahi contends that the Hawaiian kingdom was illegally overthrown with help from the U.S. military. He said previously that entry into the palace was not a break-in or an attempt to take over the building, but a demonstration of his right to the throne.

After his release yesterday, Akahi said, “;How can I steal something from my own place?”;

In a written statement, Akahi's counsel, Fimbres, said, “;How do you get charged for burglary when the owner of the property gives you the authority to go in? How do you trespass on your own property?”;

Star-Bulletin reporter Gary T. Kubota contributed to this report.