Presentation: Buffalo in the Room

1. The Buffalo in the Room: Talking about the Tough Stuff at Native Museums Wednesday, October 28, 2009 Iolani Palace

3. King Kamehameha III (aka “Kauikeaouli”)

4. Iolani Palace and Grounds Downtown Honolulu

5. The original “ Hale Alii ” (1845 – 1879)

7. King Kalakaua (Ruled from 1874 – 1891)

10. Completed in 1874, Aliiolani Hale served as the “seat of government” for the Kingdom of Hawaii.

11. Aliiolani Hale today houses the Supreme Court of the State of Hawaii, Judiciary History Center, and law library.

14. Once upon a time . . . . . August 12, 1898: Annexation of Hawaii

15. The Palace as a venue to make a statement July 28, 1934 Speech by President Roosevelt April 30, 2007 Students visiting from the Big Island denied access

16. Examples of uses inconsistent with a royal compound April 28, 2007 Portable toilets on front driveway by group “Hawaiian Kingdom Government” January 19, 2007 Protest banners on the grounds by group “Reinstated Hawaiian Kingdom”

17. An arena for competing views on Statehood Minutes later, the same group is surrounded by Hawaiian activists. August 18, 2006 Pro-American group celebrates Hawaii’s admission as a state.

18. One year later……… To avoid another showdown, we found something else to celebrate.

19. Then in August 2008, just when we thought we had dodged a bullet......

20. When interpreting “tough stuff” don’t add fuel to the fire. (Unintentionally, of course.)

21. An example: Period room exhibit outside of our comfort zone

22. The King’s Library

23. The Queen’s Imprisonment Room

24. Only the Imprisonment Room has its windows covered.

25. What did we do for 2009?

27. Protests….yes….but NOT at the Palace! August 21, 2009 Anti-statehood protest at the State Capitol Similar protest at the Hawaii Convention Center

32. Mahalo ia oukou a pau loa!