Hawiians occupy Iolani Palace
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Hawiians occupy Iolani Palace

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Last Updated on April 10, 2025

Around Seventy members and supporters from the “the Hawaiian Kingdom Government” occupied the grounds of Iolani Palace on Wednesday, saying the grounds are the property of the “Hawaiian Kingdom.” They locked all the gates and barred government workers and the public from entering the area.

The action ended without incident on the same day, but then they returned the following day—only to leave and then once again return on Friday. The New York Times quoted the group’s leader as saying this is what they plan on doing every weekday from now on.

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“We are here; we’re not going to go,” said the group’s leader, Mahealani Kahau, who had a security detail of a half-dozen men surrounding her Friday on a corner of the lawn behind the palace where they had erected a tent. Ms. Kahau said members of her group planned to return to the 11-acre palace complex, a public park abutting the Hawaii Capitol, every day except Saturdays and Sundays.”

Hawaiiankingdom.info has put together a detailed list of updates surrounding the initial action.

Free Hawaii also posted an update on their blog today:

But now, the illegal US occupying force through the Hawai`i state Department of Land and Natural Resources is attempting to nickel and dime those brave Hawaiian Government patriots – literally.

They’ve been informed starting tomorrow they’ll need to feed parking meters or be ticketed and must have a permit in order to assemble on Palace grounds lawn.

Come again? You steal my home and then not only try to charge me rent but tell me I need your permission to sit on my own lawn?

What’s wrong with this picture? Try everything.

`Iolani Palace is not a museum, as the US would want you to believe.

Rather it’s the seat of government of the Hawaiian Nation, regardless of lies and denials uttered by those who currently administer the Palace for US occupiers.

While Hawaiian government officials say they want to negotiate space in the adjoining Kanaina building for a one-room office, the opposite should really be the result.

It’s the US that should have that small back office temporarily while it packs its bags to get out.

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