After two high-profile occupations of Iolani Palace grounds this year, the state has created new security rules specifically for the palace to discourage similar protests.

The rules for the Iolani Palace State Monument, unanimously approved yesterday by the Board of Land and Natural Resources, include prohibition of obstructing public access and unauthorized occupation of the grounds. The rules will take effect in a few weeks, officials said.

This is the first time specific rules were adopted for a site managed by the state Parks Division.

“;Because of the sensitivity of the grounds and the activity that has gone on over there, it was decided that special rules would be appropriate,”; said Daniel Quinn, administrator of the state Parks Division.

Prior to the approval, general rules for all state parks applied to palace grounds.

Violators of the new rules face permit revocation, criminal penalties of up to a $500 fine for a petty misdemeanor and administrative penalties of up to $10,000.

Iolani Palace, completed by King Kalakaua in 1882, served as the residence for Kalakaua's sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani, Hawaii's last ruling monarch.

The new rules were drafted soon after a group chained the gates and occupied the grounds in April.

On April 30, members of a group called the Hawaiian Kingdom Government locked themselves in the grounds for several hours. “;No Trespassing”; signs were posted and the group's guards stood at the gates. The occupation ended peacefully with no arrests.

Another attempted takeover of the palace grounds occurred last month. “;That punctuated our need to adopt more stringent rules to help protect the area,”; said Quinn.

 
• New Rules To Protect Iolani Palace

 

 

 

The Board of Land and Natural Resources have placed new rules in order to preserve Iolani Palace and preventing another occupation.

 

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On Aug. 15, the Statehood Day holiday, a group called the Kingdom of Hawaii, Nation, broke into the palace and the barracks building and locked the gates. Twenty-three people were arrested.

The occupation also sparked an investigation by the attorney general's office after palace officials reported that a police officer stood by when a palace employee was allegedly manhandled by group members inside the gates. The attorney general's office could not be reached for comment on the status of the investigation.

Kippen de Alba Chu, executive director of the Friends of Iolani Palace, said he is pleased with the approval of the new rules. The organization plans to upgrade its security system with additional surveillance cameras and other security measures to cover the 11-acre grounds. Currently, its security system is solely focused on the palace building.

“;We're really addressing security in a comprehensive manner,”; said de Alba Chu.

The upgraded security system project, estimated to cost at least $200,000, is expected to go out to bid in the next couple of weeks.

In a written statement, Laura Thielen, director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, said, “;We have heard from the many citizens who want us to protect the Monument and the safety of the persons who visit it. The specific rules we have adopted today are dedicated to protect and preserve the character, buildings, cultural sites and grounds for future generations.”;

Final approval for the rules must come from state Attorney General Mark Bennett and Gov. Linda Lingle.