Cayetano lets palace decide whether to fly U.S. flag
| • | What do you think of the apology issued by Alice Guild, executive director of the Friends of 'Iolani Palace, for the flying of the American flag over the historic royal residence? Join our discussion |
By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Capitol Bureau Chief
Gov. Ben Cayetano has decided he will not require that the U.S. flag be regularly flown over 'Iolani Palace, and instead will allow the nonprofit Friends of 'Iolani Palace to decide when the flag should fly.
Last week Cayetano said he saw nothing wrong with hoisting the American flag over the palace, and said he would check to see if he had the authority to require that the flag be flown over the palace every day.
The Friends of 'Iolani Palace voted Sept. 27 to raise the flag over the palace for 30 days in a tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The decision triggered complaints, including some from Hawaiians who felt the U.S. flag was inappropriate over the palace.
Cayetano, noting that deposed Queen Lili'uokalani raised the U.S. flag over Washington Place shortly after the outset of World War I, said he believes that most Hawaiians support flying the flag over the palace.
Cayetano spokeswoman Kim Murakawa yesterday said that after further checking, Cayetano decided to leave the the issue alone.
The flag that ordinarily flies over the palace is a replica of the flag of the Hawai'ian kingdom and is used as part of an effort to make the palace appear as similar as possible to the way it appeared in the late 1800s, Murakawa said.
That practice is similar to that of other historical sites, which fly the American flag on "significant and appropriate occasions" only, she said.
She said once Cayetano learned that the U.S. flag can be flown over the palace, the governor opted to leave the matter of which flag flies there at any given time to the Friends of 'Iolani Palace.
Alice Guild, executive director of the Friends of 'Iolani Palace, issued a statement yesterday explaining that the news media misunderstood her Nov. 8 apology to the Friends' board of directors.
Guild explained she was not apologizing for the fact that the U.S. flag had been raised over the palace, adding "this was done in good faith to promote unity, to support our government and as a demonstration of compassion and support" for the victims and the families of victims of the attacks.
In fact, Guild said, her apology was for failing to provide background information and staff input before the board's Sept. 27 meeting.
