Hawai'i's last reigning monarch, Queen Lili'uokalani, was a symbol of courage and hope, a strong leader who suffered the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom and is still loved by her people.

Yesterday, large crowds turned out to mark what would have been the queen's 169th birthday and share in Hawaiian history at a daylong event on the grounds of 'Iolani Palace.

Organizers said more than 5,000 attended. The event doubled the previous attendance record for 'Iolani Palace tours for one day, with almost 3,000 taking the free tour offered by Friends of 'Iolani Palace and the Hawai'i Pono'i Coalition, the organizers said.

"We have had 2,700 people tour the palace so far today," said Kippen de Alba Chu, executive director of 'Iolani Palace, at 3:30 p.m., as more groups entered the palace. "That is more than double our previous record."

The festivities at the palace grounds, which drew Native Hawaiians, kama'aina and tourists, featured song, hula, prayer, food as well as the free tours of the palace, which served as the home — and for a time, the prison — of Lili'uokalani, who was born Sept. 2, 1838.

Some expressed heartfelt tribute to the queen, while others learned about her and Hawai'i's history. Some attendees promoted Native Hawaiian rights and programs, while others advocated Hawaiian sovereignty and lobbied against the Akaka bill.

In various ways, the event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. celebrated the queen's life and her role in Hawai'i's history.

"The queen is my hero," said Dorothy Alo, who flew in for the day from Maui with two nieces to attend the event.

Lili'uokalani, born Lili'u Kamaka'eha, ruled from 1891 to 1893, becoming queen upon the death of her brother, King David Kalakaua. She reigned until being overthrown in a bloodless coup. In 1895, she was imprisoned in the palace for eight months in connection with an attempt by supporters to return her to the throne.

The queen, a gifted composer, wrote numerous songs, including "Aloha 'Oe" and "The Queen's Prayer." Some of her compositions were created while she was imprisoned.

Around the palace grounds yesterday, there were booths serving food and knowledge — from shave ice and teriyaki beef to historical document displays and a campaign urging Hawaiians to vote.

A Bishop Museum display included an account of the overthrow of Lili'uokalani in 1893 by a group of American businessmen aided by U.S. troops, and the annexation ceremony at 'Iolani Palace in 1898 during which the American flag replaced the Hawaiian flag.

On the palace's diamondhead lawn, just outside the main event site, the Spiritual Nation of Ku group was flying several Hawaiian flags upside down to signify what they regard as a nation in distress.

A'opohakuku Rodenhurst collected signatures for an anti-annexation petition started by the group at yesterday's event. "We wanted to celebrate our queen," she said.

Henry Entendencia wasn't interested in efforts to re-establish a Hawaiian kingdom yesterday, but came to the Lili'uokalani celebration to spend time with 13 other members of his immediate and extended Hawaiian family, including six grandchildren.

"We came to enjoy family and to honor the queen's birthday," Henry's wife, Amy, said.

Rachel Yorita, a bookkeeper from Kaimuki, brought her husband and three children, primarily for the free palace tour, because her daughter is studying Hawaiiana at Kaimuki Middle School. "I thought she could get some information that will help her out," Yorita said.

Shortly after the palace opened at 10 a.m., there were nearly 200 people in line for the tour, which included self-guided viewing of the rooms on the first floor and entry to museum gallery displays in the basement.

Cindy Grace Ascensio, visitor service manager for The Friends of 'Iolani Palace, said people started lining up at about 8 a.m., and that the interest was rivaling the free open-house tour that drew about 1,300 people through the palace Aug. 17 to commemorate the building's 125th anniversary.

"I'm hoping we bring in as much or maybe more," she said.

Yesterday's events were organized by the Hawai'i Pono'i Coalition, a recently formed group aiming to educate the public about what it believes are the truths and misconceptions about Hawai'i's history.

Some of the group's founding members include Kamehameha Schools, the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Queen Lili'uokalani Trust and Learning Center, the Queen Emma Foundation, the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp., the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Kamakakuokalani and the 'Ilio'uokalani Coalition.

Simon Miller, a lecturer from Australia, took in the festivities and displays yesterday as part of his first vacation in Hawai'i.

"I learned a lot about the heritage and the overthrow," he said. "There was a great love for the queen, you can see that."

Hano Naehu, a fishpond guardian on Moloka'i who was at the celebration yesterday, described his love for the queen:

"I cry when I come over here and I see the statue of her. My people are still surviving, but it's sad.

"We miss our queen."

Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com.