An estimated 5,000 demonstrators marched down Kalakaua Avenue this morning to observe the anniversary of the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and to protest Gov. Linda Lingle's appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court of a Hawai'i Supreme Court ruling barring the state from selling or transferring ceded lands until pending Native Hawaiian claims to those lands are resolved.

"One of the things we could have done was to go to 'Iolani Palace and honor the day of Jan. 17, the overthrow of our queen, Lili'uokalani, and we had a long discussion about that," said Manu Kaiama, one of organizers of yesterday's march. "We did finally decide that we'd get more attention in Waikiki — the tourism board gets freaked out — and we get to talk to people who don't know anything about the history of Hawai'i. It's about educating people about the history of Hawai'i and getting their support on an international level."

The peaceful demonstration, which was joined by dozens of Hawaiian sovereignty groups and halau, began at Saratoga Road just after 10 a.m. and ended with a massive rally at Kapi'olani Park.

The march, which also featured chants and hula, drew the attention of hundreds of tourists, who lined the streets to take photographs and video.

Marchers, most wearing bright red shirts, carried signs emblazoned with "Stop Lingle Now," "Ceded = Stolen" and "Thank you for apology, now return our land." Many passed out flyers explaining the historical background of the overthrow and the ceded lands case.