HONOLULU -- A day of events commemorated and protested Hawaii's golden anniversary of statehood.

Many gathered at the Iolani Palace Friday to protest what they call is the United States illegal occupation of Hawaii.

A group of Native Hawaiians raised their voices against Hawaii's statehood from the balcony of the Iolani Palace. The sounds of solidarity carried throughout the Iolani Palace grounds Friday evening.

The opening chant was set a somber tone as people protested the commemoration of the state's 50th anniversary.

"Today they are celebrating war crimes this is an unprovoked invasion and a continual invasion of the Hawaiian kingdom," said protester Keonipa'a Choy.

The group said it believes the act of statehood 50 years ago was illegal. Chants honored Queen Liliuokalani who was overthrown in 1893.

"Other people in our community were celebrating 50 years of statehood and meanwhile there are many others of us, especially within the Hawaiian community, who do not appreciate what today means," said Hinaleimoana Wong Falemei.

"You can tell in their tones kind of what they are telling the story of and you can understand what they are trying to say. I think it sets a more reverent tone more respectful tone," said Honolulu resident April Alexander.

Cries of self determination and independence rung loud outside the Hawaii Convention Center earlier Friday.

A paper Mache Uncle Sam was the target of their frustration and then the protestors turned on the American flag cutting out a star and setting it on fire.

'When we cut the star out it symbolized it was an illusion from the beginning," said protestor Joseph Farias.

The ending came Friday night at the palace with the closing chant proclaiming a promising future.

"It sings to our community and to our people to rise up triumphantly over all of the challenges that will come our way and to never give up hope," said Falemei.

We did see police presence but the program remained peaceful.

There was also a statehood commemoration, one that brightened the skies above Waikiki, on Friday.

As it does every Aloha Friday night, the Royal Hawaiian Hotel puts on a fireworks display.

Usually it starts at about 8 p.m., but Friday night the hotel started the colorful show at 9 p.m. instead to commemorate the state's 50th anniversary.