Exit Iolani, state tells Hawaiian protesters

The state told a native Hawaiian sovereignty group yesterday that they can no longer protest on the grounds of Iolani Palace, something they have been doing for two weeks.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources refused to issue the group a permit to continue the protest, citing alleged violations of the state's original permission

The group, called the Hawaiian Kingdom Government, had been gathering at the palace on weekdays since April 30, when they blocked the gates of the palace and said they were re-establishing a Hawaiian government on the grounds. The group stopped blocking public access to the palace later that day, but their protest attracted national media attention.

On May 2, the group applied for a public assembly permit that was granted with conditions, according to a letter from Land Board Chairwoman Laura Thielen. Yesterday, she said the group did not meet the conditions and the state stopped processing the group's application for next week's assembly permit.

In a letter hand-delivered to the group yesterday, Thielen noted that on Wednesday the group's leader, Mahealani Kahau, entered the offices of the Friends of Iolani Palace, violating a condition that barred members from entering the building. Thielen also noted that a tent was set up outside of the group's permit area; the group collected money; and that some members attempted to enter Iolani Palace. Thielen said those actions were violations of the permit conditions.

Late yesterday afternoon, state conservation law enforcement officers were at the palace grounds, but there was no sign of Kingdom members. The phone number to the Kingdom office posted on the group's Web site was disconnected.