Flag of Hawaii

The flag of Hawaii is unique in that it is the only state flag to feature a Union Flag, the flag of the former colonial master of the United States.

The story of the flag's origins tell that King Kamehameha once flew a Union Flag during the War of 1812 that had been sent to the Hawaiian monarch by King George III of Great Britain. A U.S lieutenant commented that flying this flag might serve as an indication to others that Hawaii was allied with the British. The King responded by flying the American flag, which drew similarly disparaging remarks from British officials. Finally, King Kamehameha agreed to a design for a new Hawaiian flag that included both a small Union Flag and the stripes from the U.S. flag. Sources attribute the design to that of an officer of the Royal Navy, although there is disagreement on the name of the officer. The king was thus able to show his kingdom's friendship to both nations without offending either.

Unlike the U.S. flag, the stripes on the Hawaiian flag were designed as red, white and blue. In error, at the first official flying of the flag, the one made and flown ordered the stripes: white, red and blue and this arrangement stuck. A total of eight stripes is used, representing the eight major inhabitable islands of Hawaii: Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau, and Kahoolawe.