What’s the Story Behind Hawaii’s Flag?
24th Oct 2023
Pat Duffus of Clearwater, Florida, writes: What is the origin of the Hawaiian flag? When I see it, I think of Britain rather than Hawaii. Is there a Hawaiian flag before it?
Pat is correct regarding the British link. In the late 18th century, King Kamehameha I flew a British flag throughout his realm as a symbol of friendship from fellow ruler King George III.
During the War of 1812, however, an American flag was flown atop Kamehameha's residence to appease American interests. It was quickly removed after British officers in Kamehameha's court objected.
Instead, Kamehameha commissioned a new flag with characteristics from both nations.
The outcome is the flag we know today, with the Union Jack of the British Empire in the upper left corner and the stripes of America's Old Glory in the body. The eight stripes on the Hawaii flag represent the major islands. Historians attribute its design to a Royal Navy officer who modeled it on a British naval flag.
While the ensign has become Hawaii's official state flag, others believe it is not the original flag of the Hawaiian kingdom.
Gene Simeona of Honolulu unveiled the contentious Kanaka Maoli—or "native Hawaiian"—flag (right) to the public in 2001. Simeona claimed that this newly discovered design was "resurrected from a 'original' Hawaiian green, red, and yellow striped flag, destroyed by British navy Capt. Lord George Paulet when he seized Hawaii for five months in 1843" and that it was Kamehameha's personal flag long before the modern Hawaiian flag.
At the middle of the flag is a green shield with a coat of arms that includes a kahili, the ancient Hawaiian royal standard, and two paddles, which reflect the Native Hawaiians' voyaging culture.
The flag's color scheme is red, yellow, and green, representing several groups in Hawaiian society. The color yellow represents the alii, the powerful royal class. The konohiki, the landed caste that served the alii, are represented by red. The color green represents the makaainana, or commoners.
Many Native Hawaiians regard this noncolonial flag to be "the people's flag," a more authentic representation of Hawaii's inherent spirit and culture than the official flag. It's grown popular in the community, appearing on everything from t-shirts to bumper stickers.