The History of the Hawaii Flag - (2024)

Home » The History of the Hawaii Flag

  • by Scott Sweeney

The Hawaii flag, also referred to as the Hawaiian flag or Hawaii state flag, has a rich and complex history. It bears the unique distinction of being the only U.S. state flag to feature the Union Jack of the United Kingdom, a historical symbol that sparks curiosity and prompts the question, “Why does Hawaii have a British flag?”

In this comprehensive article, we’ll delve deep into the history of the Hawaiian state flag, answering key questions and shedding light on the flag’s unique design.

Origins of the Hawaii Flag

Believe it or not, the Hawaiian flag predates Hawaii’s statehood by over a century. The flag’s history dates back to the early 19th century during the reign of King Kamehameha I.

Tradition holds that the King commissioned the flag’s creation in 1816. Yet, the details of its inception are murky, steeped in historical ambiguity and folklore. There are several theories about why the Hawaiian flag features elements of both the British and U.S. flags.

One popular theory posits that King Kamehameha I received a Union Jack from British explorer Captain George Vancouver as a symbol of friendship and protection. The King, who admired the British flag, was inspired to incorporate it into the design of the Hawaiian flag.

What Does the Hawaiian Flag Look Like?

The Hawaiian flag stands out for its unique design that blends elements of different cultural influences. It consists of eight horizontal stripes, representing the eight main islands of Hawaii: Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau, and Kahoolawe.

The color scheme of the stripes, white, red, and blue, reflects the influence of the American flag and represents innocence, valor, and vigilance, respectively.

In the top left corner is the Union Jack, symbolizing Hawaii’s historical relationship with Great Britain. Its inclusion creates a flag of distinct hybrid identity, telling a story of Hawaii’s past as a sovereign kingdom and its strategic alliances.

A Symbol of the Kingdom of Hawaii

Throughout the 19th century, the Hawaiian flag served as a symbol of the Kingdom of Hawaii, fluttering above Iolani Palace and marking the Kingdom’s ships and territories. The flag was also a symbol of resistance during periods of political upheaval.

During a brief period in 1843 known as the Paulet Affair, British officer Lord George Paulet seized control of the Hawaiian Islands, replacing the Hawaiian flag with the Union Jack. Upon the resolution of the dispute, King Kamehameha III raised the Hawaiian flag once again, proclaiming, “Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ‘Aina i ka Pono,” which translates to “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.” This phrase is now the state motto of Hawaii.

From Republic to Territory to State

In 1893, the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown, leading to the establishment of the Republic of Hawaii. The Hawaii flag continued to serve as the national flag until 1898 when the islands were annexed by the United States and Hawaii became a U.S. territory.

The Hawaiian flag was subsequently adopted as the official flag of the Territory of Hawaii. When Hawaii became the 50th U.S. state in 1959, it was only fitting that the historic Hawaiian flag was adopted as the official Hawaii state flag.

The Significance and History of the Hawaii Flag Today

Today, the Hawaii flag serves as a potent symbol of the Aloha State’s diverse cultural heritage and rich history. It flies on flagpoles throughout the islands, from the State Capitol in Honolulu to the volcanic peaks of the Big Island, a constant reminder of the islands’ unique journey.

So, what is Hawaii’s flag? It’s more than just a piece of fabric; it’s a historical tapestry weaving together the story of a unique Pacific archipelago. Its distinctive design embodies Hawaii’s past as a sovereign nation, its enduring ties with both Great Britain and the United States, and its continuing identity as an integral part of the American family of states.

From answering the question, “why does Hawaii have a British flag?” to understanding the symbolism behind the flag’s design, it’s clear the Hawaii flag holds a deep historical significance. The next time you see the Hawaiian flag fluttering in the tropical breeze, take a moment to appreciate the rich and complex history it represents.

The History of the Hawaii Flag - (1)

Scott Sweeney

Scott Sweeney is the creator of Virtual Hawaii 360. Scott is a professional marketer and a lifelong Hawaii enthusiast. Scott splits time between Oahu and Dayton, Ohio. In addition to his marketing endevours, he is also a published Ukulele musician.

The History of the Hawaii Flag - (2024)

FAQs

What is the story behind the Hawaii flag? ›

Unlike any other U.S. state flag, it uniquely incorporates the national flag of a foreign country. King Kamehameha I designed this flag, blending elements from Britain, America, and Hawaiʻi. In the top left corner, the Union Jack pays homage to the historical ties between the Royal Navy and the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi.

Is the Kanaka Maoli flag real? ›

Kānaka Maoli flag

The Kānaka Maoli ('true people' in the Hawaiian language) design is purported by some to be the original flag of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, though this claim is unverified and widely disputed. It was introduced to the public by Gene Simeona in 2001.

Why does Hawaii fly the British flag? ›

Hawaii's state flag resembles the Union Jack of Great Britain because many of King Kamehameha's advisors were British and the islands were once placed under England's protection. The flag consists of eight horizontal stripes, representing the eight major islands and the British Union Jack.

What are the two Hawaiian flags? ›

The Hawaiian National Flag and Royal Flag.

Who owned Hawaii before us? ›

History. Hawaiʻi is one of two U.S. states, along with Texas, that were internationally recognized sovereign nations before becoming U.S. states. The Kingdom of Hawaiʻi was sovereign from 1810 until 1893, when resident American and European capitalists and landholders overthrew the monarchy.

Why do Hawaiian surfers use Hawaiian flag? ›

Hawai'i recognition as a separate region from the mainland USA began before Hawai'i became a state in 1959, when its remoteness from the mainland was not only cultural and social but an issue of the geography as well. So surfers wear either the flag of Hawai'i or the US flag to denote the region they're from.

What does the upside down Hawaiian flag mean? ›

Inverted national flags signify distress. The inverted Hawaiian flag has come to symbolize a nation in distress and is the main symbol of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement.

What does Kanaka Maoli mean in English? ›

Elbert (1957), Kānaka Maoli is defined as a “true person” or “indigenous person” (Blaisdell in Dougherty 1992, p 182).

What is the unofficial flag of Hawaii? ›

English: The Kanaka Maoli flag, a popular unofficial Hawaiian flag. In the center are a kahili (symbol of the ali'i) and paddles. The colors: green for the 'aina (land), red for the koko (blood), and yellow the colors of the feathers used in sacred capes of the 'ali'i.

How did Britain lose Hawaii? ›

The Paulet affair, also known as British Hawaii, was the unofficial five-month 1843 occupation of the Hawaiian Islands by British naval officer Captain Lord George Paulet, of HMS Carysfort. It was ended by the arrival of American warships sent to defend Hawaii's independence.

Do Hawaiians consider themselves Americans? ›

A Native Hawaiian, or Kanaka ʻŌiwi and Kanaka Maoli, is someone who has Native Hawaiian blood in them and whose ancestors are Native Hawaiian. Unlike the term “American,” which is a nationality, Hawaiian is an ethnicity and one that many natives are proud of.

What did the British call Hawaii? ›

The Hawaiian Islands were first discovered by the West in 1778 by Captain James Cook. At the time, Cook named the island chain the Sandwich Islands after the British Earl of Sandwich.

How did Hawaii get its name? ›

Hawa means a traditional homeland, and ii means small and ranging. Therefore, Hawaii means a small or new homeland. Another plausible theory is that the tropical islands are named after the traditional discover of the islands, Hawaii Loa.

What is Hawaii's state motto? ›

The State Motto

The words Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono which mean "The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness." The saying is attributed to King Kamehameha III on July 31, 1843, when the Hawaiian flag was once more raised after a brief period of unauthorized usurpation of authority by a British admiral.

What is the flower of Hawaii? ›

Hawaiians adopted the hibiscus – in all colors — as their official Territorial flower in the early 1920s however it wasn't until 1988 that the yellow hibiscus, specifically the Hibiscus brackenridgei was selected as Hawaii's state flower.

Was Hawaii a British territory? ›

Hawaiian King Kamehameha I placed the not-yet-united Hawaiian Kingdom under British protection during the British naval expeditions led by George Vancouver from 1792 to 1794. However, the British government took no formal action to enforce its sovereignty over Hawaii.

What does kanaka maoli mean in Hawaiian? ›

Maoli, meaning native, indigenous, genuine, true, or real, was applied to create the term “Kanaka Maoli” or “Native Person.” Another way to define “Kanaka Maoli” is “Real Hawaiian.” “Kanaka Hawaiʻi,” meaning “Hawaiian Person,” was another commonly used term following foreign contact.

What is the motto of the Hawaiian flag? ›

The State Motto

The words Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono which mean "The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness." The saying is attributed to King Kamehameha III on July 31, 1843, when the Hawaiian flag was once more raised after a brief period of unauthorized usurpation of authority by a British admiral.

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