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The
Hawaii state flag was designed in 1809 by a British
captain, a friend of King Kamehameha. The flag was first hoisted with its Union Jack
and eight red, white and blue stripes in 1816. The eight stripes represent each of
the main Hawaiian islands.
In the late 1830's there was an
official takeover of Hawaii by Great Britain, and in 1843 King Kamehameha III temporarily
ceded the Hawaiian Kingdom to Great Britain, fearing the French would come and attack
Hawaii. British flags were raised over each island and many Hawaiian flags were
destroyed.
On July 31, 1843, the commander of the
British squadron in the Pacific restored the Hawaiian Kingdom. The Hawaiian flag was
once again raised. That afternoon at a ceremony, Kamehameha III said "Ua mau ke
ea o ka aina I ka pono", which is today the motto of the state of Hawaii. [The
life of the land is preserved by righteousness].
Over the years, there has been
tremendous British influence, which still remains today in Hawaii; and the Union Jack
remains tucked away in the left corner of the Hawaiian flag, flying throughout the
Hawaiian Islands.
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