Flag of Hawaii

Ka Hae Hawaii is the flag of the U.S. state of Hawaii. It was introduced in 1816 and is one of the oldest unchanged flags used in the world, because she was also the official symbol of the archipelago as a kingdom ( until 1893 ), while the Provisional Government ( 1893-1894 ), as a republic ( 1894-1898 ) and territory of the United States ( 1898-1959 ). She is also the only flag of a U.S. state which has the British Union Jack as an ingredient.

Since 1990 in Hawaii July 31 as Flag Day (Ka Hae Hawaii) is committed.

Description

The flag consists of eight horizontal stripes in white from top, red and blue alternately. They symbolize the eight main islands of the archipelago: Hawaii, Oahu, Kauai, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui, Molokai and Niihau. The naval jack is occupied by the Union Jack.

History

There are circulating several theories about the origin of the flag. Most historians attribute the design to an officer of the British fleet, which they patterned after the flag of the United Kingdom. However, one popular version, according to them represents a hybrid of the flags of the USA and Great Britain, with the King Kamehameha I at the time the two rival great powers sought to appease.