Hawaii State Flags

After Hawaii became familiar with the English, they asked Great Britain for protection. On February 21st, 1794, Hawaii officially became a protectorate of England. A quick four days later, the British Union Jack was raised over the Hawaiian Islands for the first time. Before 1810 each of the populated Hawaiian Islands was ruled by its own King and the political and religious systems administerd by ali'i and kahuna (chiefs and priests). The only flag in the US with features borrowed from the United Kingdom is the Hawaii State Flag. On August 12, 1898, however, Hawaii became a U.S. territory, and 61 years later it was admitted to the Union as the 50th state.

As one of the oldest flags still in use, the Hawaiian flag flies proudly in many locations throughout the islands, including numerous government buildings, schools and private homes. Hawaii's flag means many things to different observers. Hawaii has the distinction of being the only state to have been formerly ruled by a monarchy. The Hawaiian flag not only represents Hawaii's struggles and progress in modern times, it also continues to pay homage to a time when the Hawaiian Kingdom allowed the alii (chiefs) to govern their people with absolute sovereignty.

What is the History of the Hawaiian State Flag?

In 1793, Captain George Vancouver from Great Britain presented the Union Jack to the conquering king Kamehameha I, who was then uniting the islands into a single state. During the War of 1812, an American flag was raised over Kamehameha’s home to placate American interests. It was soon removed after British officers in Kamehameha’s court opposed to it. The Union Jack flew unofficially as the flag of Hawaii until 1816.

Due to fear of conflict with both the USA and the United Kingdom, Kamehameha the Great commissioned a new flag - one that incorporated elements of both nations. While the ensign has become the official state flag of Hawaii, there are some that argue it is not the original flag of the Hawaiian kingdom.

The Hawaiian flag previous to 1845 differed only in the amount of stripes, which was formerly "seven", and also the arranging of the colors. Previous to 1845 the white stripe was at the bottom instead of the present position of at the top. The person accredited with the designing of the new flag, which was unfurled before the 1845 Legislative Assembly, was Captain Hunt of H.B.M.S. (Her British Majesty's Ship) Baselisk. Ka Hae Hawaii, or the Flag of Hawaii, represents the many aspects of Hawaii’s rich history. It symbolizes the Kingdom of Hawaii, the republic of Hawaii, its status as a territory and its present status as an official U.S. state.

Who Designed the Hawaiian State Flag?

The flag was designed at the request of King Kamehameha I in 1826. Historians are not 100% certain, but believe it was either Alexander Adams or George Beckley Western advisers to the king recommended the addition of red, white, and blue stripes to the Union Jack, thus creating a distinctive national flag for the country. After 1843, King Kamehameha III set the number of stripes on the national flag at eight, corresponding to the major islands. The flag has represented Hawaii the nation, Hawaii the people and Hawaii the state for over 180 years.

What is the Design of the Hawaiian State Flag?

The canton of the flag of Hawaii contains the Union Flag of the United Kingdom, prominent over the top quarter closest to the flag mast - to honor Hawaii's friendship with the British. It also represents a stylized puela (a triangular standard laying across two crossed spears called an alia) which is the symbol of the Hawaiian ali'i. The field of the flag is composed of eight horizontal stripes, symbolizing the eight major islands (Hawaiʻi, Maui, Kahoʻolawe, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, and Niʻihau).

The probable origin of the design was that during the 1812 war, the British soldiers forcefully planted their flag in Kamehameha’s kingdom after defeating the United States Army. This explains why the current flag has designs borrowed from the designs of flags from the two countries.

What does the Hawaiian Flag Represent?

The Hawaiian culture is notorious for its incorporation of deeply rooted symbolism and multiple-fold meanings. The Flag of Hawaii, is no exception. The eight stripes of color stand for the eight islands. The canton on the top right corner is borrowed from the British flag. There is no official symbolism for the colours, which were probably influenced by the national symbols of other Pacific island kingdoms as well as by the flags of the foreign powers that first visited Hawaii (the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, and France).

When was the Hawaiian Flag Adopted?

The flag was adopted on December 29, 1845. It has been in use through the regimes of the kingdoms, protectorate, and after independence.

Hawaii State Flag Day?

July 31 is declared a holiday in the state of Hawaii to celebrate the state’s flag in conjunction with celebrating the day of Restoring the Sovereignty of the state. It is a day to celebrate the flag, and was set by the Governor of the State of Hawaii in 1990.