The purpose of this webpage is to prove that Iolani Palace was indeed the place where Hawaii's transition from Territory to State took place in 1959, with great celebration. The purpose is also to show that today's state officials are caving in to a handful of radical secessionists by allowing them to (1) deny the use of Palace grounds for celebrating the 50th anniversary of Statehood, and (2) force the downgrading of a celebration at the Palace to a mere "commemoration" to be held elsewhere, and (3) force the official commemorative events to include political propaganda presenting a twisted view of history to bolster the claim that Hawaii was improperly "taken over" by the U.S. and deserves both massive reparations and eventual independence.
For a published explanation of why this topic is important, see:
The Role of Iolani Palace in Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Hawaii Statehood
Open letter to Hawaii 50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission
at
http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?ff5f6a32-7a7a-4139-ba1d-b9eb50667982
To understand how the issue of Iolani Palace and Statehood Day fits into the "big picture" of today's Hawaiian sovereignty movement, see: "Hawaiian Apartheid: Racial Separatism and Ethnic Nationalism in the Aloha State" at
http://tinyurl.com/2a9fqa
This webpage is necessary because the man in charge of the official commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Statehood, who is also the man in charge of running Iolani Palace, has announced the following plans:
"Kippen de Alba Chu, the 50th Anniversary commission's director and executive director of Friends of 'Iolani Palace, has made it clear that no 50th anniversary activities will take place at 'Iolani Palace because none took place there in 1959." (Honolulu Advertiser, August 14, 2008).
Why did he tell such a ridiculous lie?
Because Hawaii's political establishment is once again knuckling under to a group of radical Hawaiian sovereignty activists. Those activists forcibly prevented the celebration of Statehood Day in 2006, swarming and disrupting a celebration that had an official permit to use the Palace grounds. The celebration had been organized by a state Senator and was attended by a state Representative and by the official spokesman for the Mayor of Honolulu. Yet there was no police protection and no charges against the disrupters. More recently there were actual takeovers of the Palace grounds by two different groups of secessionists who locked the gates and refused to allow entry to the grounds to anyone lacking Hawaiian native blood. One of those groups maintained a more low-key presence on the Palace grounds for many months after their initial takeover, erecting a tent all day every day Monday through Friday while claiming they were now running the legitimate government of Hawaii from those headquarters.
Ethnic nationalist activists claim the revolution of 1893 that overthrew the monarchy was illegal, the annexation of 1898 was illegal, the Statehood vote of 1959 was illegal, and Hawaii has been under an illegal prolonged belligerent military occupation by the U.S. continuously since the 1890s. They believe Iolani Palace remains the capitol of a still-living independent nation of Hawaii. They have used the Palace for several decades as the center for hundreds of secessionist, anti-American rallies, sometimes reported to have been attended by 20,000 people. The Palace has also been a propaganda factory for brainwashing thousands of tourists with a twisted version of history, including propaganda-spouting tour guides, a propaganda film, and a propaganda-filled recorded narrative in a headset.
Published news reports and photographs, still available in print archives and on microfilm, prove that Iolani Palace was indeed the Territorial government building where the Legislature met and the Governor had his office. The Palace was the place where the transition to Statehood took place in August 1959: That's where the official phone call was received from President Eisenhower as he issued the proclamation of Statehood, followed by a small swearing-in ceremony inside the building; and later a huge celebration was held outdoors on the Palace grounds where the Governor and Lieutenant Governor once again publicly swore their oaths of office in front of 5,000 people in a ceremony that included numerous kahilis, royal capes, and the participation of (ethnic) Hawaiian civic clubs.
But in recent years the Hawaiian sovereignty movement has grown increasingly strident. History as presented in the in the schools and the media has been twisted to such an extent that many people (including the director of the Palace and of the 50th anniversary commemoration) seem to think the Palace is a sacred place belonging to ethnic Hawaiians -- a place where the Statehood of Hawaii should be mourned rather than celebrated. Indeed, the 50th anniversary commission has carefully avoided the word "celebration" and instead uses the word "commemoration" (much as we "commemorate" the bombing of Pearl Harbor).
ORDER OF APPEARANCE OF ITEMS ON THIS WEBPAGE (scroll down to see them)
1. August 2008 launching of commemoration of 50th anniversary of Statehood; denial of celebration.
2. Full text, and some photos, from news reports from August 1959 proving that Iolani Palace was the focal point of Hawaii's transition from Territory to State.
3. Webpage about the Great Statehood Petition of 1954 with 120,000 signatures demanding "Statehood now", which had its formal sendoff ceremony at Iolani Palace including kahilis, torch bearers, ancient and modern hulas, Hawaiian Civic Clubs, and the Royal Hawaiian Band.
4. Links to webpages about the controversy over flying the U.S. flag at the palace for a month following the terrorist attack of 9-11 2001; 2 secessionist takeovers of Iolani Palace during 2008; the terrorist destruction of the attempted Statehood Day celebration in 2006; some Hawaiian sovereignty marches and celebrations using Iolani Palace as the focal point; and testimony regarding proposed rules for the use of the Palace and grounds.
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1. August 2008 launching of commemoration of 50th anniversary of Statehood; denial of celebration.
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080814/NEWS03/808140358/1001
Honolulu Advertiser, Thursday, August 14, 2008
Statehood commemoration starts leading up to Hawaii's 50th year
Yearlong observances of state's 50th anniversary to give all sides of story
By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Staff Writer
Tomorrow's holiday marking the 49th anniversary of Hawai'i's statehood also will launch a year-long commemoration of the 50th anniversary of admission into the Union.
The Hawai'i 50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission began yesterday to roll out the schedule of events planned for the coming year, including the issuing of a Hawai'i quarter in November, a ceremony at the state Capitol, a public conference and a "50 Voices of Statehood" project to be aired on TV and radio.
The commemoration also will "be sensitive" to those in Hawai'i who have opposed statehood.
The 25-member commission, for instance, has tried to avoid the use of the word "celebration," opting instead for the more neutral "commemoration." It has also promised to present all sides of the statehood story in its activities.
"We're giving the historical context to the whole (issue) of statehood and what it means to the indigenous people of Hawai'i," said commission member Ah Quon McElrath, a long-time union leader. "To celebrate statehood without recognizing that those indigenous people still have many problems means that we are thinking only of the rest us, presumably, who did well under statehood."
Admission Day, a state and city holiday, has become an increasingly controversial subject. In 2006, a group of Admission Day celebrants at 'Iolani Palace were confronted by a group of Native Hawaiian activists who said it was disrespectful to hold the celebration at the palace.
Kippen de Alba Chu, the 50th Anniversary commission's director and executive director of Friends of 'Iolani Palace, has made it clear that no 50th anniversary activities will take place at 'Iolani Palace because none took place there in 1959.
The commission, comprised of Hawai'i leaders from the political, financial and civic communities, said on its Web site: "We are tasked with accurately and sensitively depicting a historic event with controversial beginnings."
HAWAI'I VOICES
Hawai'i became the 50th state on Aug. 21, 1959.
The commission's first initiative is the 50 Voices of Statehood program which features one-minute vignettes on what statehood means for 50 Hawai'i residents.
Among the first of the series will be retired state Appellate Judge James Burns, son of the late Gov. John A. Burns who played a critical role in Hawai'i's path to statehood as a delegate to Congress. Others include former state Land Board Chairman and longtime sugar plantation executive Bill Paty and Dody Brown, a city employee who was 6 when her father, an Associated Press photographer, photographed her holding a newspaper proclaiming statehood.
At least 60 radio and nine television stations across the Islands have agreed to run the interviews as public-service announcements at no charge to the commission. The series is expected to begin hitting the airwaves next week and will feature a different individual each week.
Other activities include traveling interactive exhibits, time capsules, essay and calendar contests, all geared toward educating high school students. The programs have the endorsement of the state Department of Education and private institutions belonging to the Hawai'i Association of Independent Schools.
CONFERENCE PLANNED
A series of events will culminate with an all-day conference on Aug. 21, 2009, where people will discuss Hawai'i's past, present and future. A breakout session will look at "Native Hawaiians: Cultural Navigation in a Sea of Change."
The state Legislature has appropriated $600,000 to the commission, but the panel must raise $250,000 more from private donors to be able to use $500,000 of the taxpayer money. The commission hopes to raise an additional $250,000 beyond that, giving it about $1.1 million to use.
Lenny Klompus, the commission's vice chairman of events and senior communications advisor to Gov. Linda Lingle, said members of the panel decided the focus should be on educating people, youths in particular.
"I've been here 20-something years. I'm still learning," Klompus said.
IMPORTANT DATES
Key dates for the 50th anniversary of statehood:
Aug. 21: One-minute vignettes, part of the 50 Voices of Statehood project, begin airing on Hawai'i TV and radio stations.
Nov. 10: Hawai'i state quarter unveiled.
March 18, 2009: Commemorative ceremony at the state Capitol and joint session of the Legislature.
Aug. 21, 2009: Public conference discussing topics on Hawai'i's past, present and future.
On the Web:
www.hawaii.gov/statehood
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The official government webpage for the 50th anniversary is at
The section on "history" includes the following:
"While we recognize that statehood is a consequence of the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893 and subsequent annexation to the United States of America in 1898, we also acknowledge that statehood allows for the freedoms of expression we exercise today."
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A website which opposes the Statehood of Hawaii has apparently gotten some quasi-governmental support:
"Statehood Hawai'i is proud to partner with the Hawai'i Council for the Humanities."
The stridency of opposition to Statehood on this website is somewhat masked, but can be clearly seen by clicking on the section entitled "Video mo'olelo."
The minutes of some meetings of the official statehood commemoration commission can be downloaded, and clearly show the fear and veiled threats that any attempt to hold Statehood celebrations at the Palace would be met with disruptive protests. The minutes are at:
http://statehoodhawaii.org/wp/index.php/committee-and-program/
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Another website opposing Statehood, "Kill Statehood", is "under construction" at
http://killstatehood.com/home.html
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2. Full text, and some photos, from state archives and news reports from August 1959 proving that Iolani Palace was the focal point of Hawaii's transition from Territory to State.
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Honolulu Advertiser, Wednesday August 19, 1959, page 1
President Eisenhower formally will proclaim Hawaii a state at 10 a.m. local time Friday. ... As soon as President Eisenhower signs the proclamation, Secretary Johnson will call Iolani Palace by Transpacific telephone. A small, informal swearing-in ceremony will be held at the Palace, with Associate Justice Masaji Marumoto administering the oaths to Governor Quinn and Lt. Gov. James K. Kealoha. A public, formal inaugural ceremony will be held Aug. 29 at Iolani Palace starting at 10 a.m.
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Photo from the state archives showing the Palace ceremony following President Eisenhower's proclamation of Statehood on Friday August 21, 1959:
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Honolulu Advertiser, Sunday August 30, 1959, page A1B
There was a large circular fish-eye photo of the swearing-in ceremony in front of Iolani Palace, occupying top 3/4 of page. Unfortunately the library microfilm was of insufficient brightness or clarity to allow copying. A similar photo from Governor Quinn's swearing-in ceremony as Territorial Governor in 1957 is provided below.
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Caption of 1959 photo on page A1B says
"Governor Quinn, right hand raised, takes oath of office from Justice Marumoto against background of historic palace. Kealoha is visible behind Marumoto."
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Article below photo, Honolulu Advertiser, Sunday August 30, 1959, page A1B, says:
Governor Takes Over in Palace Built by King
by Jane Evinger
A palace built by a king was the setting yesterday for the inauguration of Hawaii's first State governor.
It was only one of many contrasts in the ceremonies that marked a new era for Hawaii and for people of many races -- now first class Americans.
A squad of 16 jet fighters saluted the new state as the ceremony began on a platform decorated with 10 kahilis reminiscent of the days of the Hawaiian monarchy.
Governor Quinn and Lieutenant Governor James K. Kealoha took the oath of office at a speaker's stand decked with maile and pikake leis in the style of Old Hawaii.
The wives of Hawaii's two top State officials provided another sharp contrast.
Mrs. Quinn wore black with a chic, bright pink hat. Mrs. Kealoha was in white with white orchids in her hair.
Guests in the reserved sections wore business suits and ties or dresses complete with hats and gloves, but islanders' sense of comfort was evident in the clothing worn by those with unreserved seats.
Muumuus and sports shirts prevailed. Informality occasionally extended to shorts and halters.
Spectators left almost a thousand seats empty, many of them preferring to stand in the shade of the trees scattered about the Palace lawn. A number of them sat on the grass or on beach mats, which they had brought along.
Inauguration programs came in handy as protection from the brilliant sun. Even the members of Hale o Na Alii Society, chosen to sing for the inauguration, used them as sun shades as they sat on a specially constructed platform.
The choral group wore white dresses and red and yellow Hawaiian capes identical to the one given to Kealoha earlier this week for inauguration.
Everybody seemed to be carrying a camera. News photographers fought for position in front of the platform.
A favorite subject for amateur photographers were the 35 usherettes, who held up the trains of their colorful holokus with one hand and distributed programs with the other.
"This is the only kind of thing where you see holokus anymore," explained a woman as she apologetically asked two of the girls to pose.
Enterprising newspaper boys and frosty malt salesmen moved among the crowd.
Babies and tottlers assumed they were in a park and played happily on the lawn as their parents watched in the ceremonies.
But the meaning of the day was impressed on at least one 3-year-old American of Japanese ancestry. Lifting the little girl up so that she could see the platform, her mother gently admonished:
"Hush now, and watch. You'll want to be able to tell your grandchildren about this many years from now."
----------------
A second, short article inset inside the above article, said:
5,000 Call on the Quinns
More than 5,000 persons came to Washington Place yesterday to extend felicitations to Governor and Mrs. Quinn and Lt. Gov. and Mrs. James Kealoha in an Inauguration Day reception.
The two couples received their guests for three hours starting at 3:45 p.m., shaking hands with all comers.
Guests were massed four and five across down the walkways in front of the Governor's official residence waiting to pass through the reception line in the front hallway.
They were served punch and cookies and listened to Hawaiian entertainment provided by Hale o Na Alii, Kaahumanu Society and Honolulu Girls Glee Club. The reception rooms were decorated with maile leis and flowers.
Last night the Quinns and the Kealohas made appearances at inaugural balls at the Royal Hawaiian, Reef and Moana Hotels in Waikiki.
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Honolulu Advertiser, Sunday August 30, 1959, p. A1 and continued on p. A2.
[Page A1]
Gov. William F. Quinn formally donned the mantle of leadership of the new State of Hawaii yesterday amid all the pomp and color of a Hawaiian inaugural ceremony on the grounds of Iolani Palace.
In the shadow of a building hallowed by history, the Governor told an audience of more than 5,000: "There is a strength in our state which can imbue our nation with renewed faith in the equality of man.
"And there is a genius in our people which can do more for peace than the billions we spend for defense."
In an address interspersed with frequent applause Quinn said, "I believe that you will be the sparkling beacon of free democracy in the Pacific -- that from you the people of the free pacific world will draw new strength and new faith in American ideals.
Reviewing the historic foundations of American freedoms, Quinn said, "The divisions in the thing and philosophy of of Americans of good faith was a far deeper chasm in 1898 than it is today -- in 1898 when our fair islands were annexed to the United States.
"Few then believed that sovereignty equal to the great states of the federation would be extended to these distant islands."
Tracing the course of Hawaii's long battle for Statehood, Quinn said World War II "called forth the best from the sons of Hawaii and forever laid to rest doubts about the loyalty of our people."
Finally, he said, through the dedicated efforts of Hawaii's delegat to Congress, through increasing familiarity with Hawaii's people and customs gained through a growing number of visitors, through interdependent business interests and through inspired leadership of friends in Congress, the whole country began to
[Page A2]
accept the idea of a state with a majority of citizens of Asian and Polynesian ancestry."
He also paid tribute to information disseminated by the Statehood Commission which "helped to overcome the prejudices against us."
Quinn said the moment of achievement carried with it the challenge for greater accomplishment.
"For the first time our America has enfolded its people of Polynesian and Asian ancestry in its warm embrace. The banner of man's equality in a free world has been lifted high for the free and enslaved worlds to see," he said.
Election of a cross-section of Hawaii's ethnic groups to Congress "has intensified the impact and brightened the image of democracy," the Governor said.
He said, "We of Hawaii, of whatever ancestry, should drink deep of the cultural heritage that is ours from all of the many races that make up our people." ...
Lt. Gov. James K. Kealoha, wearing a brief Hawaiian cape symbolic of his Hawaiian ancestry, recalled the early days of the Kamehamehas, founders of the royal line, and spoke briefly in Hawaiian.
"I am indeed more than thrilled," Kealoha said, pledging himself to work closely with Quinn in controlling the destiny of the 50th State.
The oaths of office were administered to both men by Supreme Court Justice Masaji Marumoto on a platform flying 50th state flags, built for the occasion on the makai side of the palace.
The ceremony got underway at 10 a.m. in ideal weather marked by low humidity and a nearly cloudless sky. High atop Iolani Palace a 49-star national flag whipped symbolically in the breeze, flanked by two Hawaiian flags at lower levels.
Hawaii Air National Guard jet interceptors, flying a tight diamond formation, flashed overhead in an aerial salute.
As the Hawaii National Guard's 111th Army Band swung into "Blue Hawaii," the official party, led by former Sen. Wilfred C. Tsukiyama, walked down the palace steps to their places through twin lines of guardsmen.
Tsukiyama was followed by Senate President William H. Hill, and Sen. Sakae Takahashi, Senate minority leader, Governor and Mrs. Quinn, Reps. Howard Miyake and Joseph R. Garcia Jr., House majority and minority leaders, respectively, and the Rev. John H. MacDonald, S.M., pastor of St. Catherine's Church, Kapaa, Kauai.
The band played the "Hilo March" for the next group of arrivals -- Speaker of the House Elmer F. Cravalho, Sen. Noburo Miyake, Rep. Webley Edwards, Sen. Kazuhisa Abe, Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Kealoha, and the Rev. Abraham K. Akaka, D.D., pastor of Kawaiahao Church.
Batteries of television and still cameramen swung into action as thousands rose to the strainsof "Hawaii Ponoi."
Graying Father MacDonald gave the invocation, asking that Almighty God "in Thy infinite mercy grant that in the struggle for freedom which divides the human race, Hawaii, through the example of our government, our public and private institutions, our individual and communal lives, be the deciding factor which turns the tide of battle in favor of freedom for the enslaved nations of the world..." ...
A response to the prayer, the "Queen's Prayer," was sung by the Hale o Na Alii Society, directed by Mrs. Violet Awaii.
Following the administration of oaths by Justice Marumoto, Governor and Mrs. Quinn were each presented with six leis by representative members of various Hawaiian societies. ...
In his benediction, the Rev. Akaka said, "Thou didst lead our fathers to these shores that they might lay here the foundations of civil and religious liberty, and plant the ideals of faith and freedom that undergird our land." ...
In less than an hour, Hawaii had passed another milestone in its history.
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Photo of Governor Quinn's inauguration in 1957, clearly showing the kahilis and the Palace:
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Photo from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin of Monday August 31, 1959 showing the House of Representatives of the new State of Hawaii assembled in front of the Palace on the King Street side; photo taken from the balcony of the Palace as confirmed by the caption.
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3. Webpage "Hawaii Great Statehood Petition of 1954 -- 120,000 Signatures Gathered in 2 Weeks On a Petition for Statehood for Hawaii"
https://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/statehoodpetition1954.html
** Excerpts from the summary of the webpage:
On February 24, 1954 a petition containing 120,000 signatures left Hawai'i for Washington D.C. on a UAL Stratocruiser. "We, the undersigned people of Hawaii, hereby petition the Congress of the United States to act favorably on Statehood for Hawaii now."
The first day for signing was February 10 in Honolulu. A huge roll of newsprint was partly unrolled down the middle of Bishop Street the entire long block from Hotel to King. People lined up many rows deep on both sides, all day, waiting to sign what was then called the "Honor Roll." Bricks placed on the paper kept it from blowing and were used as stepping-stones. When fully unrolled the main segment had signatures running more than a mile. Segments of newsprint, and additional legal-size pages with lines for 32 signatures, were circulated throughout the islands. Some additional signatures were obtained as the plane made stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Denver.
The Advertiser published articles and photos every day. One especially memorable photo of an elderly man signing the petition has the caption: "Jack Paoakalani Heleluke, 74, retired member of the Royal Hawaiian Band who was born under the reign of King Kalakaua. Under his name he wrote '100 per cent Hawaiian.' "
On February 24 the 250 pound petition was wrapped and taken to the steps of 'Iolani Palace for a ceremonial sendoff including the Hawaiian civic clubs presenting chants, songs, hula, kahili and torch bearers. A heavenly blessing was also provided (rain).
** Excerpts from Honolulu Advertiser, Thursday February 25, 1954 page 1: Article accompanying a large photo of a ceremony at the steps of ‘Iolani Palace:
"... Father David Bray came down the palace steps behind kahili bearers and torch bearers chanting in Hawaiian to open the ceremony. ... ‘Hawaii Ponoi' and the Star Spangled Banner opened and closed the ceremony respectively. In between there were ancient and modern hulas and the singing of a number of songs. Members of Hawaiian Civic clubs and entertainment troupes provided the entertainment. ..."
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4. Links to webpages about the controversy over flying the U.S. flag at the palace for a month following the terrorist attack of 9-11 2001; 2 secessionist takeovers of Iolani Palace during 2008; the terrorist destruction of the attempted Statehood Day celebration in 2006; some Hawaiian sovereignty marches and celebrations using Iolani Palace as the focal point; and testimony regarding proposed rules for the use of the Palace and grounds.
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Strong Allegiance to American Flag in Hawaii Following September 11, 2001
https://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/hawpatriotpost911.html
Excerpts from part 3 of the above webpage:
It came as a major shock when the U.S. flag was raised over 'Iolani palace on September 28, 2001 for the first time in 32 years. Instead of the Hawaiian Kingdom flag flying alone, it now flew from one front corner of the building's roof while a U.S. flag flew from the opposite front corner. The director of the Palace management, apparently with the approval of the board of directors, had ordered both flags to be flown for a period of 30 days in sympathy for the terrorist attack of September 11.
There were immediate angry outbursts from some of the sovereignty activists. But as is customary in Hawai'i, most sovereignty activists expressed their outrage in the guise of feeling "hurt" by what had happened.
The executive director, Alice Guild, then sent a letter of apology to the volunteer tour guides and other activists: "The responsibility was mine for it lay within my power to bring clarity to the decision making process and I failed to do so. Because the failure was unintentional and came from my own ignorance of past and recent history, does not make it acceptable ... At a staff meeting the week the flag went up, [a staff member] said something that has haunted me ever since. He said 'if you had been at the Rededication [in 1993], had seen those hands grasping for the rope that raised the Hawaiian flag over `Iolani Palace ... people reaching out just to touch the rope, to touch the people who were touching the rope, you would know how deeply this hurt is felt'. I was not there. I did not see. Now I am here. I do see and I am so, so sorry for the pain that has been caused."
The Honolulu Advertiser of November 16, 2001 reported:
"The executive director of the Friends of 'Iolani Palace has apologized for flying the U.S. flag over the Hawai'i landmark as a tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. In a Nov. 8 letter to the board, staff and volunteers at the palace, Alice Guild said she was 'so, so sorry for the pain that has been caused' to those in the community who objected to the flag's presence. But Gov. Ben Cayetano said yesterday that the U.S. and Hawaiian flags should fly over the palace every day. The governor said yesterday he intends to look into the matter. If he has the authority, he said, he will order that the American and Hawaiian flags fly over 'Iolani Palace every day just as they do over Washington Place. 'I think those who are sensitive to the idea or who oppose the idea have their point of view, but I believe that the overwhelming majority of Hawaiians in this state -- and I'm talking about Hawaiians of Hawaiian blood, not Hawaiians like me -- support the idea that the flag is appropriate over 'Iolani Palace.' ... Among the e-mails sent to Guild and Cruz was one from Kau'i Goodhue, who wrote that the palace -- and all it represents -- is too close to her heart for words. 'But I would rather see 'Iolani Palace burned to the ground than to see the U.S. flag flying over her again.'"
But later, the Governor backed down and decided he would not insist that the U.S. flag be flown at 'Iolani, and would leave it up to the board of directors to decide when to do so. And the executive director, Alice Guild, said she hadn't really intended to apologize for the fact that the U.S. flag had flown there, but only for her mishandling of the situation."
The issue was so controversial it was covered in the New York Times of November 25, 2001. The 'Iolani Palace flag flap drew more than 3,000 posts in 30 discussion threads on the Honolulu Advertiser website discussion board, almost double the number of posts for any other topic since it was established.
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Insurrection (not mere protest) attempted at Iolani Palace on April 30, 2008, by so-called Hawaiian Kingdom Government
https://www.angelfire.com/planet/big60/Insurrection043008.html
Summary: On Wednesday April 30 a group of ethnic Hawaiians calling themselves the "Hawaiian Kingdom Government" took over the grounds of Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu. This is a relatively new group of Hawaiian sovereignty zealots -- there are many such groups, some of which have been around for decades. These goons entered the grounds in the morning, after state workers had already arrived to work inside the Palace and the state Archives. They chained and locked all the gates, posted "no trespassing" signs, and patrolled the grounds. They allowed only ethnic Hawaiians to enter the Palace grounds thereafter (at least one drop of Hawaiian native blood required). State workers left the Palace and Archives, possibly out of concern they might be subjected to harassment or might even become virtual hostages locked inside a virtual prison. Neither the state sheriffs nor the city police took any action to arrest the perpetrators or to take back control of the Palace grounds. Both daily newspapers seemed generally sympathetic to the perpetrators' cause, while mildly chastising them for inconveniencing the state employees and the tourists who had hoped to visit the palace. There were dozens -- perhaps hundreds -- of newspapers and TV stations throughout the U.S. and abroad who published news reports on the same day the event occurred, thus validating the fact that this event was considered important.
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Hawaii King Akahi Nui -- His coronation at Iolani Palace in 1998 and how he fits in with others claiming power
https://www.angelfire.com/bigfiles90/PalaceAkahiNui081508.html
Summary: On Friday, August 15, 2008, a sovereignty group headed by a man claiming to be King of Hawaii took over the grounds of 'Iolani Palace and tried to break into the Palace and some other buildings there. The "King" said his purpose was to actually sit on the throne and to take permanent control of the Palace as the headquarters for his Kingdom. The news media make a grievous error when referring to these sovereignty groups as "protesters." These groups do sometimes engage in protest activities against the state or federal governments. But these groups claim to be actual governments which rightfully should have the power to control the entire archipelago of Hawaii. Two different sovereignty groups have taken control of 'Iolani Palace during Summer 2008, not as protesters but claiming to be the real government of Hawaii. In China, Cuba, North Korea, Russia or Zimbabwe such groups would be ruthlessly suppressed and their leaders would be jailed or executed for treason. Here in Hawaii they receive very gentle treatment from Palace and government officials and from the police, while the news media and public seem to treat them as celebrities or mere curiosities. Failure to take these groups seriously and give them the harsh treatment they deserve will only encourage them to take increasingly hostile actions endangering the public safety. Already the Department of Land and Natural Resources has proposed to tighten the rules for the behavior of people using the palace and grounds. However, their proposals are merely a bandaid covering a cancerous tumor which needs to be surgically removed.
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Hawaii Statehood Day 2006 -- Celebration at Old Territorial Capitol Building (Iolani Palace) Disrupted by Hawaiian Ethnic Nationalist Wannabe-Terrorists
https://www.angelfire.com/planet/bigfiles40/statehoodday2006.html
Summary: Celebration of an official state holiday in Hawai'i turned ugly. The 47th anniversary celebration of Hawai'i statehood, at the Capitol of the former Territory, was disrupted by Hawaiian sovereignty activists using a sound-system, bullhorns, and direct in-your-face yelling as the celebration was about to get underway. First to be targeted by the terrorists were the high school students who are members of the band invited to perform -- as they sat seated with their instruments, ready to play patriotic songs, numerous protesters walked right up to them, shouting and cursing, while the bullhorn warned there would be trouble and they should leave. Needless to say, their parent-chaperones escorted them to the bus. Then the goon-squad turned attention to the legitimate participants in the celebration, standing nose-to-nose while yelling loudly and continuously; cursing, spitting, coming between celebrants, and surrounding individuals while telling them to leave and to take their American flags with them because this is not America. This webpage describes the event and includes the text of the most important related publications.
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Hawaii Statehood Day August 17, 2007 -- Holiday hijacked by Hawaiian sovereignty activists for celebration of 125th anniversary of Iolani Palace; Zero celebration of Statehood. While it is true that Iolani Palace was founded in 1882, 125 years before 2007, the particular date of August 17 was not of any special significance regarding the founding of the Palace, and was chosen specifically to pre-empt Statehood Day.
https://www.angelfire.com/planet/big60/StatehoodDay2007.html
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Red-Shirt Pro-Apartheid March of Sunday November 16, 2003 from Mauna Ala (Royal Mausoleum) to Iolani Palace, ending with anti-American rally at the Palace.
https://www.angelfire.com/hi2/hawaiiansovereignty/redshirtnov2003.html
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** HUGE MARCH AND PALACE RALLY OF SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2005
http://starbulletin.com/2005/08/07/news/index1.html
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Sunday, August 7, 2005
Excerpts
‘This ruling is disgusting’
More than 10,000 people rally against the 9th Circuit Court decision
Speakers advocate unity of purpose to support Kamehameha's policy
By Mary Vorsino
Pledging to stand together -- despite differences on how to ward off challenges to Hawaiians-only programs -- more than 10,000 gathered yesterday on the lawn of Iolani Palace to protest a federal appeals court ruling against Kamehameha Schools' Hawaiians-first admissions policy.
During a two-hour rally, filled with chanting, speeches and prayers for strength, Kamehameha's trustees and its chief executive officer vowed to vigorously fight the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling, but conceded victory was not certain.
Meanwhile, Gov. Linda Lingle, standing next to Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, called the 9th Circuit decision "a test" that Hawaiians must overcome and said she would work to keep Kamehameha's admissions policy intact. Both Lingle and Aiona wore red T-shirts, like many attendees, emblazoned with the words Ku I Ka Pono ("justice for Hawaiians").
"We are here to support your cause," Lingle told attendees. "This decision by the 9th Circuit was not a just decision."
After the rally, attendees made their way down South King Street and up Nuuanu Avenue to the Royal Mausoleum. Some waved upside-down Hawaiian flags, while others carried signs that read, "Hawaiians only" and "Stop stealing from Hawaiians."
Police estimated the crowd at between 10,000 and 15,000 people.
About 12 police officers and eight state Department of Public Safety officers worked overtime, for about $30 an hour, to provide security and control traffic.
The mayor has said that the officers' pay was covered by Kamehameha Schools.
The rally at Iolani Palace coincided with events across the state and on the mainland.
Rallies and marches were held on Maui, the Big Island, Kauai and Molokai. In Wilmington, Calif., a rally and open forum was held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Similar events happened in Oregon and on the East Coast, said Dee Jay Mailer, Kamehameha's chief executive officer.
"All over the world, Hawaiians are standing as one," she said. "When we leave here today, we are one."
** End of newspaper excerpts
The first group of 8 photos below were taken by a friend of Ken Conklin, showing the anti-Americanism and secessionist attitude. At the bottom are four photos published in the newspapers, showing the size and power of the protest.
'Iolani Palace, August 6, 2005. Hawaiian independence activists' signs citing the apology resolution passed by Congress and signed by President Clinton in 1993; P.L.103-150. The signs proclaim that the apology resolution places the U.S. on record as acknowledging that ethnic Hawaiians never gave up their inherent sovereignty or their national lands. Photos taken by a friend of Ken Conklin who prefers not to be named.
'Iolani Palace, August 6, 2005. Hawaiian independence activists' signs saying America has no right to govern the Hawaiian nation. America is not lawful in Hawai'i. The U.S. Government has no jurisdiction in Hawai'i. America has no right to rule on the legality of Kamehameha Schools' admissions polict. Princess Pauahi (whose Will established Kamehameha Schools) was never an American. Photos taken by a friend of Ken Conklin who prefers not to be named.
'Iolani Palace, August 6, 2005. Hawaiian independence activists' sign on left says: "We don't need no American government. Don't like to see too much foreign power here cause Western influence been killing us for years." Sign on right says: "We are not American. We are not American. We are not American. We will die as Hawaiians. We will never be American." That sign is a close paraphrase of what Professor Haunani-Kay Trask, Chair of the University of Hawai'i Center for Hawaiian Studies, said on January 17, 1993 in a famous speech made from the Coronation Pavilion at 'Iolani Palace in a mass protest commemorating the 100th anniversary of the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. For another photo of Professor Trask, see the newspaper photo following these two. These two photos taken by a friend of Ken Conklin who prefers not to be named.
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Proposed new rules for Iolani Palace and grounds -- testimony to DLNR offered by Ken Conklin in honor of Statehood Day, August 15, 2008
https://www.angelfire.com/bigfiles90/DLNRpalacerulestestimony081508.html
Main points:
The (mis)behavior of people who visit is often caused by their perception of who owns the Palace and what purposes the Palace should serve. Over a period of many years the Friends, the Palace management, and the docents have fostered, or allowed to grow unchecked, the concepts that the Palace belongs to ethnic Hawaiians; and/or that the Palace is the capitol building of a still-living Kingdom of Hawaii which is under belligerent military occupation by the United States; and that the primary mission of the Palace is to "educate" the people of Hawaii, America, and the world about the alleged injustices to ethnic Hawaiians caused by the U.S., especially during January of 1893. Thus the Palace serves a purpose of propaganda for a political agenda. It fans the flames of hatred toward America and toward anyone who feels allegiance to America. Overly zealous Hawaiian sovereignty activists refuse to tolerate any speech or behavior which contradicts their twisted version of history, their perception of current conditions, or their vision for the future of Hawaii. These zealous activists then feel justified in intimidating individual visitors who disagree with them, denying them access to the Palace or grounds, and disrupting legitimate celebrations through the use of noise, physical confrontation, and threats of violence.
Anyone who does not subscribe to the following statements should not be allowed to exercise authority over the Palace or grounds, nor to serve as a director, manager, or docent. Hawaii is legitimately the 50th State of the United States. Hawaii is not under a prolonged and continuing belligerent military occupation by the U.S. The monarchy came to an end in 1893, and there are no longer Kings, Queens, or Princes in Hawaii. 'Iolani Palace belongs to the State of Hawaii, DLNR, Division of Parks -- the Palace is owned by all the people of Hawaii without preference for racial distinction or claims of indigeneity. The Palace is a museum; it is not the capitol of a still-living independent nation.
The U.S. flag should fly from the highest center pole every day.
Broaden and balance the political diversity of the directors of the "Friends" to ensure that the board is not dominated by secessionists. Ensure that the docents who conduct tours; and also the recorded headset tour, are not focused on secessionist claims as though such claims are true. A minor example of this is the recorded tour including several descriptions of Quentin Kawananakoa, and questions directed to him, referring to him as "Prince" Kawananakoa. Such pretensions to royalty are inappropriate in the United States, whose Constitution clearly states there shall be no titles of nobility. Another example is the propaganda film about the revolution of 1893 shown in the barracks, with no rebuttal and no attempt to give a balanced presentation.
Instruct Kippen de Alba Chu and the Friends of 'Iolani Palace that Statehood Day 2009 is to be a true CELEBRATION and not merely a commemoration with implications of grievance and mourning. 94% of voters in 1959 said "yes" to Statehood. That's worthy of celebration.
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Kenneth R. Conklin, Ph.D.
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