The state Land Board unanimously approved new rules yesterday meant to protect 'Iolani Palace and its contents, in the wake of two recent takeovers of the historic grounds.

The rules spell out prohibited activities for the 11-acre grounds, including "unauthorized occupation of any structure on the grounds," harassing palace workers or visitors, and interfering with the public's use of the premises.

Dan Quinn, administrator for state parks, said activities on the 'Iolani Palace grounds had formerly been subject to general parks rules. But those have proven too vague, he and others said.

The rules are expected to go into effect in several weeks.

The governor and state attorney general still have to approve them.

"We'd like to see them in place as soon as possible," Quinn said.

Kippen de Alba Chu, executive director of the Friends of 'Iolani Palace, which supports and helps manage palace activities, said the takeovers highlighted the need for better rules to govern the historic grounds and protect artifacts in the palace. The group also plans to spend more than $200,000 on new security measures for the palace, including security cameras and alarm systems.

He added that the rules "strike a balance" between protection and public access.

The rules were the result of months of planning that kicked off in May. The Department of Land and Natural Resources held public meetings islandwide on the rules, and also accepted written testimony. In those gatherings, several groups raised concerns with the rules on principle, saying the state had no authority to restrict activities on the palace and grounds and that Native Hawaiians should self-govern the parcel.

The only testimony yesterday on the rules before the state Land Board was from de Alba Chu and another supporter of the changes. Quinn also addressed the board, saying the recent takeovers "punctuated our need to adopt more stringent rules to protect the area."

The takeovers happened in April and August.

In the first incident, a Native Hawaiian activist group took over the palace grounds, locking the gates and spurring an hours-long standoff with police and DLNR enforcement officers. Four months later, another group took over the grounds and broke into 'Iolani palace, leading to several arrests and the alleged assault of a female palace employee.