An upbeat crowd of about 2,000 supporters of Kamehameha Schools' Admissions policy took a good-natured approach throughout their hourlong sign-waving protest. Laughter broke out when a car drove by with a sign saying: "John Doe You Can Go to Punahou."

The walk started with a 4:30 p.m. rally at Maui Community College in Kahului.

The throng, dressed in red, listened to speakers, sang songs and prayed, then lined both sides of Ka'ahumanu Avenue to wave signs and flags while urging motorists to honk their horns. Mixed with the sounds of conch shells and cheering, the horn blasts could be heard for blocks.

Francine Ching of Wailuku said she came to the rally even though neither she nor her children are affiliated with Kamehameha.

"It's important to save our culture," she said. "We have lost so much. To allow a non-Hawaiian into Kamehameha is just another thing being taken away from the Hawaiians."

Glenn Adolpho of Wailuku held an upside-down Hawai'i state flag attached to a Hawaiian spear. In his other hand was a conch shell.

"I don't usually get out to these kinds of things," Adolpho said. "But it's time for Hawaiians to come together."

Earlier, when the crowd rallied on the MCC campus, Native Hawaiian cultural specialist Charles Kauluwehi Maxwell Sr. urged Hawaiians to mobilize against those who are trying to take away Hawaiian rights and programs.

"We are being attacked by these pilau people," he said.