The 200th anniversary of Kamehameha the Great's unification of the Hawaiian Islands will be marked in conjunction with the annual commemoration of the overthrow of Queen Lili'uokalani this weekend by Native Hawaiian organizations.

Most of the two days of events for "Ho'okahi Lāhui Hawai'i — One Nation 1810-2010" will be held at or around the grounds of the 'Iolani Palace.

Today's activities will center on Kamehameha's unification of the Hawaiian people, while tomorrow's events are focused on Hawai'i's last monarch, co-organizer Henry Noa said.

Lili'uokalani was overthrown by American-backed businessmen on Jan. 17, 1893.

There will be hula, live music, cultural ceremonies, makahiki festival games, and arts and crafts each day. Program activities start at 8:30 a.m. today and 10 a.m. tomorrow, said Noa, who is head of the Reinstated Hawaiian Government.

Today, there will be an essay and poem competition, as well as a makahiki competition with registration that begins at 8. Tomorrow's highlight will be a march from Thomas Square to the palace, with stops at the statues of Lili'uokalani and Kamehameha the Great. The march begins at 9 a.m.

The weekend's events are free and open to the public.

Noa said the purpose is to educate Hawaiians and others about the unification and the overthrow.

The weekend's schedule started yesterday at Kawaiaha'o Church.

The Pacific Justice and Reconciliation Center held its 17th annual Ho'okuikahi, a forgiveness, justice and reconciliation prayer service with speakers from different religious and civic organizations.