I
have been constantly doing multiple water changes (30% 2-3 times a
day), but the ammonia just does not seem to be getting under 1ppm so
easily.

The process of cycling NEEDS for the ammonia to be high. You want high ammonia
so that the ammonia eating bacteria can proliferate. I suggest stop doing
water changes and let nature takes its course. Unless I was mistaken by your
post....the reason I say that is I noticed this:

noticed last night that there are multiple white spots on
the rock and corals

Is this a brand new tank or one that has been established a while and youre
adding additional rock to your existing? If its a brand new setup, corals
should not be in a cycling tank. They most likely wont survive, take them to
your friends and let them hold them for you.

~John