The Significance of the Hawaiian Flag
The Design of Ka Hae Hawaiʻi
Very few people know the true significance of the Hawaiian Flag. The Hawaiian flag, known as Ka Hae Hawaiʻi, was created in 1816 by King Kamehameha I. He was the first ruler to unite the islands under one kingdom.
The flag’s design is unique. In the upper left corner sits the Union Jack of Great Britain. Eight horizontal stripes of white, red, and blue fill the rest of the flag. Each stripe represents one of the main islands — Hawaiʻi, Maui, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Niʻihau, and Kahoʻolawe.
King Kamehameha I included the Union Jack to acknowledge Hawaiʻi’s historical relationship with Britain. He valued his connection with British advisers and traders. However, the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi remained an independent and sovereign nation for nearly a century.
This blend of Hawaiian and British symbols created a flag that stood for friendship, diplomacy, and unity among the islands.
Symbolism Within the Flag
Each part of the flag carries meaning. The Union Jack shows Hawaiʻi’s early alliance with Britain, but it also reminds us of the outside influences that shaped the islands’ history.
For Native Hawaiians, the true power of the flag lies in its symbolism of unity and sovereignty. The alternating stripes reflect the collective strength of the islands working together.
- The red stripes stand for courage and resilience.
- The white symbolizes purity and aloha — the spirit of love and compassion.
- The blue represents the vast ocean that surrounds, sustains, and connects all life in Hawaiʻi.
Together, these colors tell the story of a kingdom built on honor, respect, and aloha for both land and people.
A Flag Through History
Hawaii’s political journey was filled with both hope and hardship. In 1893, the Hawaiian monarchy was illegally overthrown. For many, that moment marked the loss of a nation. Yet, the Hawaiian flag became a symbol of pride and resistance — a reminder of the independent kingdom that once thrived here, and never went away.
Even after the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893, and the purported annexation by joint resolution in 1898, the Hawaiian Kingdom continued to exist as a sovereign nation under international law. The U.S. Department of Justice’s 1988 legal opinion confirmed that Congress had no constitutional authority to annex a foreign state through a joint resolution, and therefore the legal status of Hawai‘i as an independent nation was never extinguished.
According to the National Lawyers Guild (2020), the United States has since maintained the longest-running belligerent occupation of a foreign country in modern history, exercising effective control over Hawaiian territory without a lawful treaty of annexation.
The Hawaiian flag represents the strength of the Hawaiian people, their love for their homeland, and their ongoing struggle for cultural and political recognition.
Today, it still waves as a statement of identity and hope. It reminds everyone that the spirit of Hawaiʻi and its sovereignty continue to live in the hearts of its people.
A Symbol of Aloha and Unity
The Hawaiian flag is more than a symbol of the past — it is also a vision for the future. It calls each of us to remember that this land has its own story: a story built on unity, pride, and cultural strength.
For Native Hawaiians, the flag connects them to their ancestors and to the ʻāina — the land that nourishes both body and spirit. For visitors and residents alike, it serves as a reminder to respect and protect Hawaii’s land and people.
The flag’s message aligns with the values of Aloha ʻĀina — love and care for the land. It encourages everyone to live with awareness, sustainability, and compassion for the generations yet to come.
A Legacy That Endures
As we reflect on Ka Hae Hawaiʻi, we see more than fabric and color. We see a living symbol of Hawaii’s history and its people’s strength.
The flag stands for courage, unity, and hope. It honors the stories of those who came before us and inspires future generations to carry the light of aloha forward.
Let us continue to support the indigenous people of Hawaii, share their stories, and protect the ʻāina that gives life to us all.
Ka Hae Hawaiʻi will always remind us of who we are, where we come from, and what we stand for — aloha, unity, and resilience.
Learn more about the origins and evolution of Ka Hae Hawaiʻi from the Hawaiʻi State Archives, which preserves documents and artifacts from the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Learn more about our shared Kuleana (responsibility) to helping protect Hawaii’s unique Culture, Communities, and Ecosystems.
Learn about how restoring the ancient ahupuaʻa system is crucial to building a sustainable future in Hawaii.
