Flag of Hawaii
The Flag of Hawaii (Hawaiian: Ka Hae Hawaiʻi), or Hawaiian flag, is the official flag of the U.S. state of Hawaii. The flag has been in use since 1845. It is the only state flag of the United States to have the Union Flag of the United Kingdom on it.
 | |
| Name | Ka Hae Hawaiʻi |
|---|---|
| Use | Civil and state flag |
| Proportion | 1:2 |
| Adopted | December 29, 1845 |
| Design | Eight alternating horizontal stripes of white, red, and blue, with a Union flag in the canton |
Design
Most of the flag is a field of eight horizontal stripes representing the eight major islands. The color of the stripes, from the top down, are: white, red, blue, white, red, blue, white, red. The colors were standardized in 1843, but other combinations are occasionally still used.
Origins
The design of the flag of Hawaii is based on the state's early history. King Kamehameha I flew a British flag, given to him by British explorer Captain George Vancouver after agreeing that the Kingdom of Hawaii would be united and ruled by Kamehameha under the protection or control of the United Kingdom. Other visitors to the islands reported seeing the flag flying from places of honor. People say that King Kamehameha learned during the War of 1812 that flying the flag of a country like the United Kingdom could lead to conflict with other countries, but no one knows for sure if this is true. To avoid taking a side, Kamehameha designed a flag that combined parts from the British and United States flags.
There is debate as to the name of the officer: some traditions credit Alexander Adams, others George Beckley. The original flag was designed to feature stripes alternating in the order: red-white-blue. However, some have argued that the stripes were influenced by the flag of the United States. The flag used at the first official flying of the flag of Hawaii erroneously placed the stripes in the order: white-red-blue. The number of stripes also changed. Originally, the flag was designed with seven horizontal stripes. At one point, a ninth stripe was symbolized the island of Nīhoa. The current design was made official in 1845.
Flag Of Hawaii Media
Flag of Hawaii specification
An 1868 flag chart. Note the lack of blue stripes.
One version of the flag with a 1:2 canton and 9 stripes
Red Ensign of Great Britain (1707–1800)
Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom
Flag of Hawaii 1816-1845, as observed by Louis Choris, etc.
Flag of the United Kingdom (1-2)
Flag of Hawaii in 1896. Notice the narrow fimbriation/border around the St. George's Cross.
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