'Iolani Palace official apologizes for flying U.S. flag

By Mike Gordon and Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Staff Writers

The executive director of the Friends of 'Iolani Palace has apologized for flying the U.S. flag over the Hawai'i landmark as a tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The U.S. and Hawaiian flags were flown above 'Iolani Palace for 30 days beginning Sept. 28 as a tribute to victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. Advertiser library photo • Sept. 29, 2001

In a Nov. 8 letter to the board, staff and volunteers at the palace, Alice Guild said she was "so, so sorry for the pain that has been caused" to those in the community who objected to the flag's presence.

The U.S. flag was flown over the palace for 30 days beginning Sept. 28. It was the first time since 1969 that the U.S. flag was raised over the historic building. The decision to fly the flag was approved the day before by the group's board of directors.

Guild, who did not return Advertiser phone calls, said in her letter she received many e-mails and letters from the Hawaiian community shortly after the flag went up. She called them "hate mail" and "hurt mail."

"At first, I didn't understand why the Board's action was not seen as a simple gesture of support for those who had suffered so terribly," she wrote. "The board's decision flowed from the heart."

Guild said in September that there was precedence for the flag-raising because Queen Lili'uokalani flew the U.S. flag in 1917 to mourn and honor Hawaiians killed in World War I. The deposed monarch flew the flag over her personal residence, Washington Place.

Cayetano said he cannot understand why the American flag doesn't fly over the palace every day.

The governor said yesterday he intends to look into the matter. If he has the authority, he said, he will order that the American and Hawaiian flags fly over 'Iolani Palace every day just as they do over Washington Place.

Cayetano also cited Queen Lili'uokalani's gesture during World War I.

"Historians will tell you that this gesture on the part of the queen was basically her feeling that it was a time for reconciliation, and I'm sorry that some people in the Hawaiian community do not feel that."

Cayetano said he believes that Lili'uokalani would feel it is "totally appropriate" to fly the American flag over 'Iolani Palace as well.

"I think those who are sensitive to the idea or who oppose the idea have their point of view, but I believe that the overwhelming majority of Hawaiians in this state — and I'm talking about Hawaiians of Hawaiian blood, not Hawaiians like me — support the idea that the flag is appropriate over 'Iolani Palace."

But board member Lynette Cruz praised Guild for apologizing.

"I think it took tremendous guts," Cruz said yesterday. "The issue is self-reflection. And if you do something you think is good and you take a lot of flak from Hawaiians, you have to consider: What is everyone upset about?"

The decision to fly the flag was based on a misunderstanding of history among board members, Cruz said, and only a government can decide to fly the flag of another nation.

"The palace doesn't belong to the friends, it belongs to the Hawaiian people," Cruz said.

Among the e-mails sent to Guild and Cruz was one from Kau'i Goodhue, who wrote:

"Her Majesty Queen Lili'uokalani's decision to fly the American flag over her private residence was her right. Her intention was not to set 'precedence,' it was the act of the rightful constitutional Monarch whose country and people always dictated her actions."

Goodhue wrote that the palace — and all it represents — is too close to her heart for words.

"But I would rather see 'Iolani Palace burned to the ground than to see the U.S. flag flying over her again."