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Palace closed after Hawaiian sovereignty protest
Source: Agencies |
November 11, 2011, Friday
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THE US state of Hawaii's decision to close Iolani Palace while a Pacific Rim summit is being held in Honolulu this week is costing the private group that manages it US$42,000 in lost revenue, according to the Friends of Iolani Palace.
The closure is also preventing high-ranking delegates from six nations visiting the former home of Hawaiian royalty.
The state closed the palace on Monday after members of a Hawaiian sovereignty group refused to leave the grounds. Nineteen were charged the next day with trespassing.
The state said it will reopen the palace grounds next week, after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting has concluded.
Kippen de Alba Chu, executive director of the Friends of Iolani Palace, a private group that manages the historic landmark, said the state acted without consulting his organization.
He said: "APEC is one of the biggest international events in the history of Hawaii and a rare opportunity for us to share our islands' heritage, hospitality and culture. It is inconceivable that we have to turn away national and international visitors from Iolani Palace, an iconic symbol of Hawaiian royalty."
Delegates from China, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru and the US had planned to visit the palace.
King Kalakaua built the ornate palace in 1882. It also served as the residence for his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani, who was imprisoned in the palace after the 1893 US-supported overthrow of the monarchy.
The palace was restored in the 1970s as a National Historic Landmark and now operates as a museum of Hawaiian royalty.
De Alba Chu said APEC delegates were excited at the prospect of visiting the palace because Kalakaua had forged bilateral relations with their countries.
"Hawaii and the various APEC members share a common history that long predates annexation by the US," de Alba Chu said. "This decision to lock down the Palace is not 'aloha.' It is the exact opposite."
The sovereignty group whose members were arrested, Hawaiian Kingdom Government, has said it wants to reclaim land belonging to the Hawaiian monarchy that was stolen during the overthrow.
The closure is also preventing high-ranking delegates from six nations visiting the former home of Hawaiian royalty.
The state closed the palace on Monday after members of a Hawaiian sovereignty group refused to leave the grounds. Nineteen were charged the next day with trespassing.
The state said it will reopen the palace grounds next week, after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting has concluded.
Kippen de Alba Chu, executive director of the Friends of Iolani Palace, a private group that manages the historic landmark, said the state acted without consulting his organization.
He said: "APEC is one of the biggest international events in the history of Hawaii and a rare opportunity for us to share our islands' heritage, hospitality and culture. It is inconceivable that we have to turn away national and international visitors from Iolani Palace, an iconic symbol of Hawaiian royalty."
Delegates from China, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru and the US had planned to visit the palace.
King Kalakaua built the ornate palace in 1882. It also served as the residence for his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani, who was imprisoned in the palace after the 1893 US-supported overthrow of the monarchy.
The palace was restored in the 1970s as a National Historic Landmark and now operates as a museum of Hawaiian royalty.
De Alba Chu said APEC delegates were excited at the prospect of visiting the palace because Kalakaua had forged bilateral relations with their countries.
"Hawaii and the various APEC members share a common history that long predates annexation by the US," de Alba Chu said. "This decision to lock down the Palace is not 'aloha.' It is the exact opposite."
The sovereignty group whose members were arrested, Hawaiian Kingdom Government, has said it wants to reclaim land belonging to the Hawaiian monarchy that was stolen during the overthrow.
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