HONOLULU -- There was a packed room Wednesday night as the state land board took public testimony on proposed rule changes for Iolani Palace.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources is proposing more specific rules to preserve and protect the palace and its grounds.

The recent actions by a sovereignty group called the Hawaiian Kingdom Government prompted the department to speed up the process.

In April, the group tried to occupy the palace grounds. It blocked public access to the grounds, which led to a brief closure of the palace and its archive building.

Most people who testified on Wednesday night opposed the rule changes.

"They can propose the rules on controlling the general public, but when it comes to the Native Hawaiians. Native Hawaiians rights are separate and independent," Richard Kinney said.

"I have never seen any Hawaiians disrespect the palace. It is a place of great respect and reverence to me," Brady said.

"But if you look very closely, these are to protect the entity. It is not against a people or a person. It's simply to protect the properly liability," said William D. Souza of Alii Ai Moku O Hawaii.

The land department will take public testimony across the state before deciding on the proposed rule changes.