Each week Editorial and Opinion Editor Jeanne Mariani-Belding hosts The Hot Seat, our opinion-page blog that brings in elected leaders and people in the news and lets you ask the questions during a live online chat.

On The Hot Seat last week was Kippen de Alba Chu, executive director of 'Iolani Palace, the grounds of which are currently being occupied in protest by a group called Hawaiian Kingdom.

Here is an excerpt from that Hot Seat session. To see the full conversation, go to The Hot Seat blog at www.honoluluadvertiser.com/opinion and click on "The Hot Seat." (Names of questioners are screen names given during our online chat.)

Joyce: What's your take on the occupation of the palace? Could things have been handled differently?

Kippen de Alba Chu: We are unclear as to the purpose of the ongoing occupation of the palace grounds. In hindsight, things could have been handled differently in regards to the April 30 locking of the palace gates. There were many issues that the various law enforcement agencies had to confront, and because of the ongoing investigation, it's hard to say exactly what could have been done differently.

Ata: The Hawaiian Kingdom talks about kingdom law. Is there such a thing called kingdom law and does it still exist today?

de Alba Chu: That depends on who you ask. Since we operate within the framework of the state of Hawai'i and the U.S., we currently abide by these laws.

K QT: Why do you only fly the Hawaiian flag over 'Iolani Palace? What about the American flag?

de Alba Chu: The decision to fly only the Hawaiian flag is not a political one, although we understand that people may construe it as such. Since 'Iolani Palace is a restoration to the era of the Hawaiian Kingdom of the late 1880's and early 1890's, the Hawaiian flag is part of that restoration. In effect, the flag that we fly is a replica of the kingdom flag, with official hoist-to-fly proportions of 1:2 (identical to the current British flag). This differs from the proportions of the current state of Hawai'i and U.S. national flags, which are 2:3. In practical terms, the kingdom flag is actually longer than the current state flag, if compared side by side. For example, the flag over 'Iolani Palace is 4 feet high and 8 feet long. A state flag would be 4 feet high and only 6 feet long.

It is customary for historic sites throughout the U.S. to fly the flag that best represents the particular era that they are interpreting to the general public. This is why there are different flags displayed at many historic sites throughout the country that are appropriate to their interpreted time periods. The following are just a few examples of where the current U.S. flag is not displayed alongside the historic flag: The Alamo in San Antonio flies the Republic of Texas flag; the Governor's Palace in Colonial Williamsburg, Va., flies the British Union flag; and the White House of the Confederacy in Montgomery, Ala., flies the first national Confederate flag.

Bill Punini Prescott: Protesters continue to use "sacredness" as one of their arguments concerning land, building, etc. Inasmuch as Kamehameha III abolished the Hawaiian gods and kapu system in 1819, has anyone inquired as to what religion or god makes anything around or in 'Iolani Palace sacred?

de Alba Chu: The use of the word "sacred" or "sacredness" has taken on a nonreligious context in regards to 'Iolani Palace and the grounds. The definition of the word includes "worthy of reverence or respect," and it is in this context that we want all people to view this historic site. Protesters use "sacred" because this is where Queen Liliuokalani was overthrown and where she was imprisoned.

Paikea: I recently went on a tour of 'Iolani Palace and was disappointed by the emptiness of some of the rooms. Why aren't there more furnishings?

de Alba Chu: After the overthrow of the monarchy, Provisional Government officials inventoried the contents of 'Iolani Palace and sold at public auction whatever furniture and furnishings were not suitable for government operations. These objects were dispersed around the world. Efforts by the Friends of 'Iolani Palace with help from the public have recovered many lost objects from 38 states and four foreign countries. Yet after more the 40 years of searching, some of the largest pieces of furniture are still missing. Our Web site, www.iolanipalace.org/history/mostwanted.html, lists some of our "most wanted" objects.

Other palace artifacts have been acquired, but remain in storage because of a lack of available conservation funds for repair and restoration. It is through the help of the public that we are able to return 'Iolani Palace to its former splendor. The Pulama Ia (Cherished Objects) program allows interested individuals or organizations to sponsor all or part of the restoration of a specific object in the 'Iolani Palace collection. If you would like more information about this program or would like to sponsor treatment on a palace artifact, please call the curator at 522-0834 or e-mail him at curator@iolanipalace.org.

Kamaaina: Seeing 'Iolani Palace in the news recently has made me interested in visiting the palace again. But is there anything new?

de Alba Chu: In 2000 we opened our basement galleries, which include displays of the royal crowns, ancient regalia, jewelry and medals of the monarchy. The past five years also have seen a number of objects put back into period room displays. Once funding has been secured, recovered artifacts undergo conservation treatment and are put on display in their original locations. Most recently a beautiful Japanese wood panel screen, a gift from Japanese Consul General Irwin to King Kalakaua in 1885, was restored and placed in the Music Room.

Kamaile: What new exhibits are in progress at 'Iolani Palace?

deAlba Chu: Plans are currently under way for textile refurnishing of the rooms in the private living quarters, these include the King's Bedroom, the Queen's Bedroom, and the Music Room. With the help of federal and state grants, nationally recognized experts were contracted to help with preliminary planning. This project will add draperies, carpets and 17 upholstered pieces of furniture restoring the rooms to their former splendor.

Ladyluck: Do you think the group that occupied 'Iolani Palace had a legal right to do so? From what I understand they were letting in only Native Hawaiians. How could they tell just by looking who was Native Hawaiian? You folks did a good job in handling a sensitive situation.

de Alba Chu: According to the state Attorney General's Office, the group has a constitutional right of free speech. However, it is our understanding that the locking of the gates requires an actual eyewitness and accurate description of the person who actually did the locking in order to prosecute. The state's investigation is ongoing. The group did not have the right to restrict access to only Hawaiians, and this was NEVER done during Kalakaua's time. The king actually welcomed different ethnic groups on the grounds and actually had the palace open for tours at times.

Micah: What is the role of the palace today and what do you feel that role should be?

de Alba Chu: The Friends of 'Iolani Palace has worked tirelessly for over 40 years and at great expense to restore and refurnish 'Iolani Palace to reflect its appearance during the late monarchy era. The Friends also has strived to educate local residents and visitors on the high level of sophistication, refinement and worldliness of the Hawaiian monarchy at a time when Americans regarded us as merely "barbarians in the middle of the Pacific."

With the construction of 'Iolani Palace, King Kalakaua sought to enshrine his noble vision of welcoming the world to Hawai'i in a building befitting a modern and progressive kingdom. To outsiders, Kalakaua was proclaiming that Hawai'i was an equal among the family of nations. To his own people, Kalakaua sought to embody the transition from the ancient to the modern. As such, 'Iolani Palace, its furnishings, and the activities that occurred on its grounds during the monarchy period beautifully represent this juxtaposition of western and Hawaiian ideals and values.

Each of us who calls these Islands home has a connection to the palace. Kalakaua created a structural tapestry of various cultures from his circumnavigation of the Earth, yet retained a Hawaiian soul within its walls. Many of us who live here, regardless of race or length of residency, can and do identify with Kalakaua's worldly vision. The building that Kalakaua erected to be a showplace in the Pacific always has been a place of welcome and hospitality to people of all nationalities, whether resident or visitor to these Islands.

If Hawai'i is the crossroads of all the world's cultures, then 'Iolani Palace is its emblem. The Friends of 'Iolani Palace exists to preserve, restore, interpret, share and celebrate the unique cultural, historical and spiritual qualities of 'Iolani Palace and its grounds for the benefit of Native Hawaiians, the people of Hawai'i, and the world. That is the role of 'Iolani Palace today.