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WAIHEE - Police issued 11 citations for trespass Tuesday 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 minister of foreign affairs and sole group 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.

"Inherent sovereignty, that's us," said Armitage. "Inherent sovereignty is the proper claimant (of Hawaii lands). The Reinstated Hawaiian Government is the proper claimant.

"It's not right to possess stolen goods," he said, referring to the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom.

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.

"We talked to Henry Noa," Armitage recounted. "He said, 'We need this'" standoff.

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

"We may not agree on the interpretation of international and federal laws that are being cited, but until the courts can sort out the legality of the situation, our county and law enforcement agencies are bound to fulfill current laws that are recognized by the County of Maui," said Tavares, a former county parks director.

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

"A group of individuals who identified themselves as the Reinstated Hawaiian Government have occupied the beach park for a few months. Maui police officers have tried to diplomatically resolve the situation. I appreciate that all parties acted respectfully."

At Waihee Beach Park, Armitage was dismissive of the sheaf of white-and-yellow police citations given members of his group.

"We have rights under the rules of law," he said, indicating the citations would be forwarded to attorneys for the group.

"We're taking this to the world courts," Armitage said.

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.

* Kekoa Enomoto can be reached at kekoa@mauinews.com.