Makahiki season came early at 'Iolani Palace as Hawaiian organizations gathered to celebrate their culture and pay homage to their queen yesterday at the third annual 'Onipa'a.

The anniversary of Queen Lili'uokalani's birth was celebrated with song and hula, a procession of the Hawaiian royalty societies dressed in their somber suits and mu'umu'u, and a church service. More than 8,000 people were expected to attend as the daylong event, which included a free tour of the palace, unfolded.

" 'Onipa'a is one of the queen's mottos and we've taken that phrase to highlight that we will be steadfast and to continue honoring our queen and return justice to the Native Hawaiians," said Wayne Panoke, event chair. The event was sponsored by the Hawai'i Pono'i Coalition, a consortium of Native Hawaiian groups dedicated to education about the history of Hawai'i.

"All the organizations we have here have a variety of perspectives of sovereignty and nationhood," Panoke said. "It's the one day where everyone comes together and puts aside their differences and educates our people."

Queen Lili'uokalani came of age during the height of the Hawaiian kingdom when citizens' rights were codified by a constitution, according to literature presented by the coalition. Two years into her reign, in the face of an overthrow staged primarily by sugar businessmen and assisted by the U.S. military, the queen yielded her authority to avoid bloodshed.

At every opportunity, Kaui Sai-Dudoit teaches her children through participation about their cultural heritage. Yesterday she came with six of her 12 children to enjoy a plate of Hawaiian food on the front lawn of the palace, watch the hula and experience her culture.

"Today we are here to honor Queen Lili'uokalani," Sai-Dudoit said. "We should never forget about the legacy she left. I am here today to pass on to the next generation so they can learn about the cornerstones of their culture. It's tradition in makahiki season to have everyone lay down their weapons and come together."

Makahiki is a time from October or November through February or March when Hawaiians stopped work, made offerings to the chief or ali'i and spent their time practicing sports, feasting and dancing.

Sai-Dudoit stood as the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu, the Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors — also known as Mamakakaua — and Hale O Na Ali'i of Hawai'i walked from the palace to a stage to place lei where a picture of the queen stood.

As the procession made its way through the crowd, Tahiarii Pariente, from the French Polynesian island of Raiatea, watched with knowing eyes of a kindred spirit.

"I am always involved in cultural exchanges," Pariente said. "This is about supporting my cousins in Hawai'i. Where I come from we are in the majority, here they are the minority."

Placed around the lawn were booths from more than a dozen Hawaiian organizations, from Alu Like Inc. to Kamehameha Schools.

Walking around the palace grounds, Lani Meyer, interim director of Alu Like's Native Hawaiian Library, said she noticed the reverence of the people who came for the celebration.

"She had a lot of challenges during her reign, but she was always about what was pono, what was right and just," Meyer said. "Her legacy is what unifies everyone today. She was for the people."