Andy Combis of the Hawaiian Kingdom Government guards the King Street entrance to 'Iolani Palace on April 30, the first day of what the group calls its resumption of the government in its rightful seat. - Photo: Lisa Asato

Hawaiian Kingdom Government continues to occupy palace grounds

Ka Wai Ola Staff

As of press time, the Hawaiian Kingdom Government continues to occupy the grounds of 'Iolani Palace in Honolulu as it has on weekdays since April 30. Although the group was denied a permit by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources on May 19 for breaking some rules, such as collecting money on the property and entering off-limit buildings, a new permit was later granted. Permits are required for any gathering of 25 of more people, and the group must reapply for a permit each week.

“We are resuming and assuming our lawful government, the Hawaiian Kingdom. This is the seat of government since 1882,” said Mahealani Kahau, head of state for the independence group, which has established three branches of government and counts membership in the “thousands.”

On the first day of the occupation, the Hawaiian Kingdom Government had been denying access to tourists but was allowing students, media representatives and kūpuna on to the property all day. Laura Thielen, chairperson of DLNR which oversees the property and the palace, said, “We've explained to them because this is public property there's a right to public access here.”

Thielen also said DLNR doesn't have the authority to allow the group to run its government on the premises. “They're going to have to seek a venue through the courts to give that authority,” she said.

Kippen de Alba Chu, executive director of The Friends of 'Iolani Palace, said that.”While we respect the freedom of Hawaiian groups to hold an opinion on the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, we believe that blocking public access to 'Iolani Palace is wrong and certainly detrimental to our mission to share the palace and its history with our residents, our keiki and our visitors.”

At the end of the first day of occupation, Kahau said that the group “definitely” accomplished its goal for the day. “We've been able to come in and make a statement that the Hawaiian Kingdom Government has resumed its lawful status as the functioning government,” she said, adding: “There's not one (sovereignty) group out there that doesn't deserve this day. This is not just for us; it's for all of them.”