Gary T. Kubota / gkubota@starbulletin.com The Kingdom of Hawaii has issued its own passports, including one for Majesty Akahi Nui and his wife, Grace. Akahi, who refuses to recognize the legitimacy of the county, state or federal government, has been incarcerated in the past.

Palace incident is called show of rights

WAILUKU » Majesty Akahi Nui's followers want to restore the Kingdom of Hawaii with him on the throne.

His critics say he is just another pretender.

Today in Honolulu District Court, some of Akahi's supporters are scheduled to face second-degree burglary charges in connection with a demonstration at Iolani Palace on Aug. 15. Those charged with trespassing have a court hearing Friday, according to Akahi.

Akahi has not been charged in the alleged break-in, but police are continuing to investigate the group's actions.

In an interview, Akahi, 67, said his supporters' entry into the palace was not a break-in, protest or an attempt to take over the building, but a demonstration of his right to the throne.

"We never relinquished that right," he said. "I don't feel anything I did was wrong."

Akahi, known as James Kimo Akahi before he changed his name in 1992, has a scroll tracing his genealogy back to the father of King Kamehameha I. His organization claims sovereignty over the Hawaiian Islands -- a nation, he says, that was overthrown illegally with help from the U.S. military and its representatives in 1893.

Akahi argues that Queen Liliuokalani only temporarily relinquished her authority, pending the outcome of an investigation into the overthrow.

He said a basis for his claim is the 1993 congressional resolution apologizing for U.S. participation in the overthrow.

His critics say others have blood lineage to Kamehameha and that his is one of scores of Hawaiian sovereignty groups.

"They are simply impostors of the worst kind, and their claims to nobility are wholly without merit," said Abigail Kawananakoa, a Campbell Estate heiress whose family helped found Friends of Iolani Palace and who traces her ancestry to King David Kalakaua. "The entire group must be held accountable for their premeditated and illicit actions. The penalty must be substantial enough to deter such actions in the future."

She said the Kawananakoas are the one, true royal family and that she remains steadfast in her commitment to maintain Iolani Palace and claims to crown lands.

Charles Maxwell, a Hawaiian cultural expert who has pushed for reparations since the mid-1970s, said native Hawaiians should hold a referendum to decide their governing body and leaders to include others than those claiming royal lineage.

"What you're hearing is the ones who make the most noise," Maxwell said.

He said Hawaiian groups have difficulty working together for common goals because "everybody wants to drive the car."

But Akahi insists he will continue to move peaceably for reinstatement of the monarchy.

He, wife Grace and supporters made public appearances as the Kingdom of Hawaii at the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Correspondents Association in New York. They held their own coronation at the grounds near Iolani Palace in the late 1990s. They issue their own passports.

In the mid-1990s, Akahi challenged the county and state government's authority to regulate motor vehicles and issued his own Kingdom of Hawaii license plates.

Akahi also accumulated more than 500 traffic tickets and eventually settled with a district judge to a sentence of 30 days in jail, although he said he spent only two weeks behind bars.

Akahi was sentenced in March 2001 to five years in prison after pleading no contest in Maui Circuit Court to the petty misdemeanor of second-degree criminal trespass and the felony of second-degree escape. Akahi, who later contested the plea agreement, said he spent only a couple of months in prison before being released.

The sentence stemmed from allegations that he occupied private property near Ulupalakua and escaped with the help of supporters after being arrested by Maui police.

Akahi said he and his wife were exercising their rights to access the graves of their royal ancestors. Prosecutors argued there was no confirmation of an ancestral burial and that Akahi, his relatives and followers were living on the land despite a 1992 court order barring him from entry.