The burglary trial of James Akahi, leader of a Hawaiian sovereignty group that briefly occupied 'Iolani Palace last year, continues today in Circuit Court.

Akahi, who also call himself Akahi Nui, claims to be the heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawai'i.

Deputy Attorney General Mark Miyahira told jurors yesterday that Akahi led a group of supporters that entered the palace the evening of Aug. 15, 2008.

Akahi told a state investigator that he was the lawful heir to the throne and intended to chain himself to the throne on the second floor of the palace, but "got lost," Miyahira said.

Defense lawyer David Sereno said in his opening statement that Akahi did not intend to chain himself to the throne.

Akahi "has nothing but respect for the palace that he cherishes," Sereno said.

Visitors to the palace as well as staff are required to wear booties over their feet to protect the flooring, and Akahi and members of his group wore the booties when they entered the building, Sereno pointed out.

Sereno closely questioned state attorney general's investigator Henry Nobriga about his written accounts of what happened after Akahi and his group entered the palace.

In his initial report, Nobriga, a retired Honolulu police lieutenant, did not quote Akahi as saying he intended to chain himself on the throne.

That quote appeared in a later sworn declaration that Nobriga filed in the case.

And Nobriga later reported that he saw chains inside the open top of a backpack that had been left inside the palace.

Nobriga said he noticed the backpack as he was escorting Akahi out of the palace but could not find it when he returned later to look for it.

Six other people besides Akahi were originally charged with burglary, but Circuit Judge Richard Pollack dismissed those charges earlier this year.

Two men charged in a related assault case, Donald Love-Boltz and Robert Roggasch, are scheduled to go on trial next month.