State of Hawaii
Nicknames: The Aloha State
Motto(s): Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono (The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness)
Date of Statehood: August 21, 1959 (50th state)
State Song: “Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī” by King David Kalākaua and Henri Berger
Hawaii Flag History
The flag of Hawaii, adopted in 1845, is distinctive in its representation of the state’s history and its symbolic blend of Western and native Hawaiian influences. The flag consists of eight horizontal stripes of white, red, and blue, representing the eight major islands. The canton, or upper left corner, of the flag features the Union Jack, symbolizing Hawaii’s historical relationship with Great Britain.
The flag’s design is said to have been commissioned by King Kamehameha I, who unified the Hawaiian Islands. It is a reflection of the cross-cultural interactions between native Hawaiians and the British and American visitors to the islands. The inclusion of the Union Jack acknowledges the British influence in Hawaii’s history, while the eight stripes symbolize the unity and equality of the islands within the state.
Hawaii’s flag is unique among U.S. state flags for its incorporation of the Union Jack, a feature that represents the state’s complex history of native sovereignty, European influence, and eventual incorporation into the United States. The flag’s design has remained consistent since its adoption, serving as a symbol of Hawaii’s rich cultural heritage and its spirit of unity and resilience.
Hawaii Quick Facts
Capital City: Honolulu
Abbreviation: HI
Population: Approximately 1.4 million
Region: West, Pacific
Origin of State Name: Derived from the native Hawaiian word “Owhyhee” meaning “homeland”
Sports Teams: No major professional sports teams, significant presence in college sports and surfing events
Bordering States: None (island state)
Area Codes: 808
Highest Point: Mauna Kea at 13,796 feet (4,205 meters)
Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean
Geography of Hawaii
Area: 10,931 square miles (28,311 square kilometers), 43rd largest
Land: 6,423 square miles (16,635 square kilometers), 47th largest
Water: 4,508 square miles (11,677 square kilometers), 14th largest
Coastline: 750 miles (1,210 kilometers)
Shoreline: 1,052 miles (1,693 kilometers), including islands and inlets
Largest Cities:
- Honolulu
- East Honolulu
- Pearl City
- Hilo
- Kailua (Honolulu County)
- Waipahu
- Kaneohe
- Kahului
- Mililani Town
- Ewa Gentry
- Kihei
- Kapolei
- Kailua (Hawaii County)
- Kalaoa
- Wahiawa
National Parks:
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
- Haleakalā National Park
- Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
- Kalaupapa National Historical Park
Hawaii State Symbols
Living Insignia
State Bird: Hawaiian Goose (Nēnē)
State Animal: Hawaiian Monk Seal
State Amphibian: None
State Butterfly: Kamehameha Butterfly
State Fish: Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa (Reef Triggerfish)
State Flower: Yellow Hibiscus
State Horse Breed: None
State Insect: Kamehameha Butterfly
State Mammal: Hawaiian Monk Seal
State Reptile: None
Inanimate Insignia
State Fruit: Pineapple
State Gemstone: Black Coral
State Soil: Hilo
State Tree: Candlenut Tree (Kukui)
State Quarter: Issued in 2008 featuring King Kamehameha I and the state outline with the year of statehood
State Beverage: None
State Colors: Red and Yellow
State Dance: Hula
State Food: Poi
State Fossil: None
State Mineral: None
State Rock: None