Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Sunday, December 22, 2024 79° Today's Paper


Top News

State asking websites to remove information on closed Hawaiian palace

HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES VIA AP

Crosses were etched by vandals on the crumbling remains of the 180-year-old summer palace of King Kamehameha III.

Hawaii officials are asking websites and blogs to stop pointing people to the off-limits, crumbling remains of a Hawaiian monarchy palace.

Officials said last week vandals etched crosses on the 180-year-old walls of King Kamehameha III’s former summer palace in Nuuanu.

The palace named Kaniakapupu is in a closed watershed area. The state says those caught trespassing will be cited.

However, social media and various websites lure people to the area by touting it as a scenic and leisurely hike.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources says it has sent letters to more than a dozen sites that mention Kaniakapupu.

The department says tourism and travel website Exploration Hawaii removed Kaniakapupu information. Blogs Outdoor Ohana and Traveling Thru History told the department they will remove directions to the site.

8 responses to “State asking websites to remove information on closed Hawaiian palace”

  1. allie says:

    They can ask but the websites doing this are independent commercial operators simply reporting facts. Obviously the museum could ask the websites to indicate that the palace is closed until further notice, etc.

  2. kuasol1 says:

    What is the next step that the DLNR should take for Kaniakapupu? This is an important historic site that has been neglected for far too long. I repeat my comments from the previous article of last week. The walls of the palace should be stabilized, a replica of the palace constructed on the grounds as a visitor’s center and a caretaker’s cottage built to house a caretaker. Kauikeaouli (Kamehameha III) was the wisest and longest serving Hawaiian monarch. His legacy should be disseminated to all residents of Hawaii and visitors through an interpretive program at this site housed in the visitor’s center. Fees can be charged to make the resource pay for itself. I have often wondered why Kauikeaouli has been relegated to the historic dustbin while Kalakaua and Liliuokalani have been elevated to god-like status.

    • SteveToo says:

      Love the idea. Why keep it hidden away??

    • allie says:

      agree..this is a great treasure. And Ken is right: Kamehameha III was by far the most important of the Kmehamehas. He opened the door to liberal democracy and constoitutional monarchy. He adopted a Western Bill of Rights (1839), provided for Hawaii’s public school system (1840) and adopted a Western-style democratic constitution. He really is the architect of Hawaii’s treasured political systems. If I were in control of this palace, I would do much more with it. Let it be a learning place for tourists, school children and the general public. Frankly, I continue to be amazed at how little people know about the Hawaiian kingdom and the real record of the monarchs. It makes it easy for the lazy media and 150 sovereignty advocates to malign the great westernizing and Americanizing accomplishments of the 19th century.

  3. Hawaiiobserver says:

    Lawmakers should pass a bill that fines people big time, and then actually enforce the law.

  4. Ken_Conklin says:

    Kauikeaouli Kamehameha III is my favorite king. He voluntarily gave up dictatorial power by proclaiming the Constitution of 1840, whose profound and majestic first sentence says “Ua hana mai ke Akua i na lahuikanaka a pau i ke koko ho’okahi, e noho like lakou ma ha honua nei i ke kuikahi a me ka pomaika’i.” (God has made of one blood all races of people, to dwell upon this earth in unity and blessedness.) He also voluntarily gave up sole ownership of all the lands of Hawaii by proclaiming the Great Mahele establishing private property ownership for both ali’i and maka’ainana. He also offered a Treaty of Annexation of Hawaii to the United States, which failed because he died before it could be negotiated.

  5. justmyview371 says:

    You mean this website included.

  6. entrkn says:

    I hereby request that all of those web sites omit all references to Hawaii and the islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Hawaii, and Molokai.

Leave a Reply