Re: Iolani Palace Locked Up to Non-Hawaiians
Yes, there are various groups that have differing views on exactly what form Hawaiian Sovreignty should take and how it should be achieved.
Here is part of a statement from the Friends of Iolani Palace.
"While we respect the freedom of Hawaiian groups to hold an opinion on the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, we believe that blocking access to Iolani Palace is wrong and certainly detrimental to our mission to share the palace and its history with out residents, our keiki and our visitors," the statement read.
"As a matter of historical record, we wish to point out that the original seat of government of the Hawaiian Kingdom was NOT Iolani Palace. The Palace was the royal RESIDENCE. Government activities were carried out in the original Courthouse (now demolished), then later in Aliiolani Hale."
It should also be pointed out that whatever one's feelings may be on the Hawaiian Sovreignty issue in general or on the actions of this group in particular, the Friends of Iolani Palace has been the group that has meticulously restored and maintained the palace to the condition that exists today. Forty years ago, when the State Legislature moved out of the palace to the present Capitol building, the palace was left in bad shape. It was the Friends of I.P. that oversaw the repair work (especially the termite damage) and recovered many of the monarchy era furnishings. While I do respect the rights of this group to carry out a protest in order to convey their message to the public, it does seem to me that they were more than a bit presumptuous to take over a place that other people have worked long and hard to restore and preserve. Would the members of this group calling themselves "the Hawaiian Kingdom Government" care to articulate what they have personally done over the years to contribute to the restoration of Iolani Palace?
The group said they would return the next day at 8 in the morning. I wouldn't be surprised if DLNR takes measures (i.e. new locks on the gates and added security) to make sure that no group in the future can lock up the palace grounds again.
Originally posted by Jim75
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Here is part of a statement from the Friends of Iolani Palace.
"While we respect the freedom of Hawaiian groups to hold an opinion on the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, we believe that blocking access to Iolani Palace is wrong and certainly detrimental to our mission to share the palace and its history with out residents, our keiki and our visitors," the statement read.
"As a matter of historical record, we wish to point out that the original seat of government of the Hawaiian Kingdom was NOT Iolani Palace. The Palace was the royal RESIDENCE. Government activities were carried out in the original Courthouse (now demolished), then later in Aliiolani Hale."
It should also be pointed out that whatever one's feelings may be on the Hawaiian Sovreignty issue in general or on the actions of this group in particular, the Friends of Iolani Palace has been the group that has meticulously restored and maintained the palace to the condition that exists today. Forty years ago, when the State Legislature moved out of the palace to the present Capitol building, the palace was left in bad shape. It was the Friends of I.P. that oversaw the repair work (especially the termite damage) and recovered many of the monarchy era furnishings. While I do respect the rights of this group to carry out a protest in order to convey their message to the public, it does seem to me that they were more than a bit presumptuous to take over a place that other people have worked long and hard to restore and preserve. Would the members of this group calling themselves "the Hawaiian Kingdom Government" care to articulate what they have personally done over the years to contribute to the restoration of Iolani Palace?
The group said they would return the next day at 8 in the morning. I wouldn't be surprised if DLNR takes measures (i.e. new locks on the gates and added security) to make sure that no group in the future can lock up the palace grounds again.
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