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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 6:23 p.m., Sunday, August 17, 2008

6 charged with Iolani Palace break-in

Advertiser Staff

Six people were charged today with second-degree burglary in connection with Friday's break-in at 'Iolani Palace.

Charged are: Vanessa Fimbres, 36; Tanya K., 40, and Terry Nakoa Kaahanui, 52; Waynette, 26, and Wayne, 53, Nunes, and Akahi Wahine, 53. A man, 73, who was arrested with the group, was not charged.

All were expected to post $5,000 bail and be released tonight.

'Iolani Palace, meanwhile, will remain closed indefinitely while palace curators assess the damage done to the historic structure after a native Hawaiian group broke in while attempting to occupy the building, officials said today.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will be the agency to determine when the palace can reopen, said Ruth Limtiaco, president of the Limtiaco Company, a public relations firm that represents the Friends of the 'Iolani Palace.

Authorities arrested 23 people with a group that locked gates around the palace, broke into the adjacent barracks building and raised a flag on the barracks flagpole. The group was identified as the Kingdom of Hawai'i Nation. At the time of the takeover, a group of eight palace employees locked themselves in the palace and a nearby administrative building.

The incident began at 4:30 p.m. on Statehood Day, an observance of Hawai'i becoming the 50th state on Aug. 21, 1959. One palace employee was shoved by three men as she attempted to allow someone to come onto the 10-acre palace grounds. The incident occurred on the diamondhead-side gate. The incident occurred in front of a police sergeant. When the palace employees called 911, they were told by police that it was not their jurisdiction.

Gov. Linda Lingle has said that it would be a serious breach of the oath taken by Honolulu Police. Honolulu Police Chief Boisse Correa has said in a statement that he has ordered an internal review of the department's initial response.

The DLNR and the attorney general have said they intend to prosecute the 23 to the fullest extent of the law.