IOLANI PALACE
State proposes stricter protections for palace
By John Windrow
Advertiser Staff Writer
The state is proposing new rules regarding protection of 'Iolani Palace and its grounds.
Representatives for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Friends of 'Iolani Palace said the proposed rules have been under discussion for several years, but that recent activities on the palace grounds by a sovereignty group have been a "wake-up call" to take measures to ensure that the historic palace and its grounds — the 'Iolani Palace State Monument — are properly protected.
The Hawaiian Kingdom Government — one of several Hawaiian sovereignty organizations that say they do not recognize the authority of the U.S. government or the state of Hawai'i — has been occupying the mauka lawn of the palace since April 30.
Kippen de Alba Chu, executive director of the Friends of 'Iolani Palace who spoke at yesterday's DLNR meeting, said the proposed rules would be designed specifically to protect the palace and its grounds "which are also historically significant and contain burials of high-ranking ali'i."
The proposed rules would be more stringent than rules and regulations for state parks, which are the rules that apply to the palace now, said DLNR spokeswoman Deborah Ward.
Among other measures, the proposed 'Iolani Palace rules would:
Other activity extras such as music, loudspeakers and tents awnings would be allowed with a permit, which would be issued on first-come, first-served basis.
Laura H. Thielen, chairwoman of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, said the Hawaiian Kingdom group will continue to receive permits to gather at the palace as long as it abides by permit conditions. The group had a permit that was in effect through yesterday.
"We have been discussing developing specific rules for 'Iolani Palace for some time in order to enhance the historic character of the area and the educational mission of the Friends of the 'Iolani Palace," Thielen said in a written statement.
The department will hold public hearings on the proposed rules.
Ward said a permit to allow the group to be on the grounds next week was being processed yesterday.
Mahealani Kahau, who has described herself as the head of state for the Hawaiian Kingdom Government, said her group had not been notified of the proposed rules yesterday and had no comment.
"We conform to Kingdom law," she said. "We have never wavered on that."
On April 30, the Hawaiian Kingdom group locked the gates of the palace grounds for about eight hours and blocked entrance to all but Native Hawaiians and the media, effectively shutting down tours at the palace as well as operations at the Hawai'i Archives Building that sits just behind the palace.
Since May 1 group members have spent weekdays on the palace lawn, saying they were conducting business.
Reach John Windrow at jwindrow@honoluluadvertiser.com.
