Group of Hawaiians occupies Iolani Palace, vows to return

Native Hawaiians occupy palace grounds

STORY SUMMARY »

Iolani Palace, home of Hawaiian monarchs and one of Honolulu's most popular attractions, was closed for several hours yesterday as a Hawaiian sovereignty group occupied the grounds peacefully.

State sheriffs and special agents responded as members of the self- described Hawaiian Kingdom Government turned away the public beginning around 9 a.m.

Several dozen state workers and tourists were inconvenienced. The protest ended after 2 p.m., but the group promised to return this morning.

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A native Hawaiian organization blocked the grounds to Iolani Palace for most of the day yesterday in a move to declare its status as the Hawaiian kingdom's government.

The gates surrounding the palace were reopened to the public after 2 p.m., following negotiations with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. However, the group's leaders vowed to return at 8 a.m. today.

About 70 members of the organization, called the Hawaiian Kingdom Government, locked themselves in the grounds with padlocks and chains, state officials said. The group claimed the state had placed the locks.

Its head of state, Mahealani Kahau, said the group was operating as a government as of yesterday, with executive, legislative and judicial branches present on the grounds.

Yesterday, the group's guards put up yellow "No Trespassing" signs at the palace's several gates to "give awareness and notice to everyone that passes that the Hawaiian Kingdom Government has resumed its lawful status as the seat of government," Kahau said.

The incident ended peacefully with no arrests. However, the grounds were surrounded for most of the day by state sheriffs and special agents from the state attorney general's office.

State security for the palace grounds will increase this morning, DLNR Director Laura Thielen said, adding that she hopes that talks will continue with the group. She said the members could face charges.

"We'll remain assessing the situation and see what happens," Thielen said. "Clearly, they're going to be remaining on the property for a while."

Thielen said the state's main concerns were:

» Keeping the land open to the public.

» Ensuring the safety of all involved.

» Securing the historic building and its contents.

The executive director of the Friends of Iolani Palace, Kippen de Alba Chu, decried the group's actions.

Chu said the palace was the royal residence and that government activities were carried out in the now-demolished courthouse, then later in Aliiolani Hale.

"It is historically wrong for any individual or group to state that the palace is to serve as a government building," Chu said. "The removal of government functions from the palace and its restoration as the place of residence of the Hawaiian alii were, in fact, significant steps to acknowledge its true and proper position."

Kahau disputed Chu's comments, saying the kingdom used the palace for legislative purposes after the 19th-century American overthrow.

"What they thought they took over was the Hawaii kingdom government, but they did not," Kahau said. "As long as we have a breath to speak, we are here."

The group said it intends to use the palace grounds to operate its government, including the State Archives. Thielen said the group needs to obtain authority from the court before operating out of any state building.

Kahau said the group hopes to create programs to benefit education. When asked where it would get funding, she said, "We have ways" and declined further comment.

Maui Sen. J. Kalani English (D, Hana-Kahoolawe) walked over from his state Capitol office to show support and brought the group food. "I'm here as a Hawaiian to let them know that they're acknowledged and that they're heard," he said.

While on the palace grounds, Kahau was flanked by about a half-dozen unarmed bodyguards sporting sunglasses and using push-to-talk phones.

Panakonaue Kahau, Hawaiian Kingdom Government's interior minister, said the organization began with 45 people who elected the leadership.

"The only lawful government here on the islands is us," said Kahau, brother of Mahealani Kahau.

To become a part of the kingdom, a person must watch a video presentation and pray for guidance, he said.

The incident inconvenienced dozens, including the palace's 28 employees and about 24 volunteers with the Friends of the Iolani Palace who did not work yesterday. State Capitol workers also were told to park elsewhere, while three group tours and about 40 reservations for guided tours were canceled yesterday morning.

Kahau said that if her group's actions inconvenienced other people, "it's probably because they don't have the understand of who we are and why we did what we did today."

Former Alaska resident Fred Salter, who recently moved to California, has visited Hawaii five times before. The only tourist spot he never visited was Iolani Palace, which he and his wife hoped to accomplish yesterday.

Salter said he is a history buff and sympathizes with the plight of native Hawaiians. He compared it to the protests of native people in Alaska.

"If you don't have a resolved situation, you're going to have people that are always at each other's throats," Salter said.