WAIHEE — Police issued 11 citations for trespass yesterday morning to Native Hawaiian activists camped at Waihee Beach Park since December, and the last members of the Reinstated Hawaiian Government group left the park around 11:15 a.m.

The police action, following what could be called a peaceful standoff, came after last week's county announcement of a Waihee park closure this week for maintenance and beautification.

"Is the county the legal property owner? We want the documents showing they're legal," Nelson Armitage of Haiku said as police vehicles and officers lined the park entrance.

Armitage is the group's minister of foreign affairs and spokesman.

"The county, state and federal governments don't have legal titles" to the land, he said.

The basis for the Reinstated Hawaiian Government's position is United States Public Law 103-150, or the 1993 Apology Resolution. The document refers to "the sovereign and independent kingdom of Hawaii," whose "people never relinquished their claims to their inherent sovereignty as a people over their national lands."

Armitage said his group's actions were taken in pursuit of sovereignty.

Neither a demonstration nor a confrontation, the laid-back scene depicted sovereignty, Waihee Beach Park style. The event also may have been an advance skirmish leading up to what Armitage said is the April 3 trial of Reinstated Prime Minister Henry Noa on charges of trespassing on Kahoolawe.

Mayor Charmaine Tavares said the activists had camped for several months at Waihee, although camping is not allowed at the park.

"Our parks department exists to meet the needs of the broader community with parks and recreation services and access," Tavares said. "That includes observing rules and regulations regarding camping."

Armitage was dismissive of the police citations given members of his group.

The police apparently won't be the only issuers of citations. Armitage held a clipboard with a list of 19 officers' names neatly printed on yellow-pad paper.

"They give us citations. We give to them, too," he said with a smile.