Native Hawaiian groups traditionally hold somber observances on or near Jan. 17 to commemorate the day Queen Liliuokalani was overthrown, but this year's events appear to be more emotionally charged due to recent debate over the use of ceded lands.

Organizers say tens of thousands are expected to participate in a march and rally in Waikiki tomorrow to protest Gov. Linda Lingle's appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court of a January 2008 Hawaii Supreme Court ruling that bars the state from selling or transferring ceded lands until Native Hawaiian claims to those lands are dealt with.

Lingle officials say they are duty-bound to fight the Hawaii court decision because the case clouds the state's title to ceded lands, and that the position is the same as previous administrations.

Nonetheless, it has drawn the ire of Hawaiian organizations that run the gamut of Native Hawaiian interests. Wayne Kahoonei Panoke of the Ilioulaokalani Coalition, which is organizing the march and rally, said representatives from the traditional Royal Order of Kamehameha I to independence groups such as Hui Pu are participating.

"This is one issue we can all agree upon that it's wrong," Panoke said.

State Sen. Clayton Hee, D-23rd (Kaneohe, Kahuku), also pointed to recent legal setbacks such as the Rice v. Cayetano decision, which opened balloting for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs election to all Hawaii voters, and the domino effect they could have on Native Hawaiian programs and causes.

"If Hawaiians don't show up (for the march), it is as strong a statement as if Hawaiians do show up," Hee said.

While some Native Hawaiian critics have accused the governor of turning her back on their concerns, Lingle this week said her actions are based on what's best for all Hawaii residents.

The march down Kalakaua Boulevard starts at 10 a.m. at Saratoga Road and ends at Kapi'olani Park, where a rally will run through the late afternoon.

(For more on this story, see tomorrow's print edition of The Advertiser)