Sovereignty groups gathered on the grounds of Iolani Palace yesterday to observe the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy.

Although they were united in their condemnation of the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani 117 years ago, members of several groups held separate events.

There are more than 70 native Hawaiian sovereignty groups statewide, with different people claiming to be leaders.

One group sponsored entertainment on the main lawn near the bandstand.

There were tense moments when another group was confronted by state conservation enforcement officers who wanted them to take down a tent near a burial mound in the Diamond Head-makai corner of the palace grounds.

  Tense anniversary for overthrow of Hawaiian kingdom

 

Police officers confronted Hawaiian demonstrators who were commemorating the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom.

[ Watch ]

 

The situation was resolved peacefully when enforcement officers issued a citation rather than physically removing the tent.

George H. Flores, 62, a member of the Hawaiian Independence Action Alliance, was cited for allegedly erecting a tent without a permit at the Iolani Palace State Monument.

Flores, who was cited previously, said the tent protected food and exhibit photographs.

Meanwhile, the sovereignty group Reinstated Hawaiian Government organized speeches and entertainment on the Ewa side of the grounds.

Reinstated Hawaiian Government leader Henry Noa said his 5,000-member group was planning to elect officers and encouraged people to vote.

Noa said some people might think the idea of reinstating the Hawaiian kingdom is far-fetched, but other countries that have been occupied by foreign powers have eventually reclaimed their sovereignty, including Poland and the Baltic nations.

On Jan. 17, 1893, Queen Liliuokalani was deposed after a group of businessmen seized power and about 162 sailors and Marines from the American warship USS Boston positioned themselves near Iolani Palace.

Native Hawaiian groups said the monarchy had a treaty with the United States and several other nations and that the overthrow was illegal.

Some native Hawaiians point out that President Grover Cleveland asked the revolutionary government to restore the queen, but the government refused.

Hawaii was annexed as part of the United States in 1898 after the election of President William McKinley, who favored annexation.