About a dozen Native Hawaiians protested the use of the Iolani Palace grounds for the inauguration of Neil Abercrombie as Hawaii’s seventh elected governor.

The demonstrators remained on the periphery of Monday’s ceremony. They held signs reading “Free Hawaii” and “Restore Hawaii Independence.”

One protester called the event a “slap in the face,” and added that the use of the Capitol rotunda for Gov. Linda Lingle’s first inauguration in 2002 was more appropriate.

Other governors have held their inauguration at the palace, including Gov. Ben Cayetano and Gov. John Waihee.

Iolani Palace served as the official residence of Hawaii’s monarchy. It was built by King Kalakaua in 1882.