Hawaii's state flag is easy to spot once you know what you are looking at: the Union Jack sits in the canton, and eight horizontal stripes run across the field. It is a state flag with a long, complicated story behind it. If you want one for a porch, home office, school display, or family gathering, get the history right and give the flag a clean place to fly.
The short version
- Hawaii's flag has eight stripes, one for each main island in the Hawaiian chain.
- The Union Jack reflects the islands' nineteenth-century ties with Britain, alongside their relationship with the United States.
- Use a sturdy bracket, enough clearance, and a flag sized for the place where it will fly.
- When the U.S. flag flies with Hawaii's flag, give the American flag the position of honor.
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Hawaii State Flag
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$7.00What the Hawaii state flag looks like
The Hawaiian flag, called Ka Hae Hawaiʻi, has a British Union Jack in its upper left corner. The rest of the flag is made of eight horizontal stripes in white, red, and blue. Those eight bands represent Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, and Niʻihau.
That combination can surprise people who expect a state flag to look like a seal on blue fabric. It should not be mistaken for a British flag. It is Hawaii's own flag, shaped by the kingdom's history and still flown as the official state flag today.
A flag stored dry and folded cleanly is ready when you need it, instead of becoming a tangled pile by the door.
Why the Union Jack is on Hawaii's flag
The Union Jack points back to the Hawaiian Kingdom's nineteenth-century diplomacy. King Kamehameha I cultivated relationships with both Britain and the United States while Hawaii remained an independent kingdom. The exact origin story has competing accounts, but the flag became the kingdom's recognized national flag and remained in use after Hawaii became a U.S. state in 1959.
That history is why the design deserves more care than a novelty decoration. The flag carries the memory of a sovereign Hawaiian kingdom, the islands' place in the Pacific, and the state that exists today. A straightforward display says more than turning it into party fabric or hanging it where it will drag against a wall.
Buying a Hawaii state flag for display
Start with the place, not the checkout button. A small indoor wall display needs a different flag than an open porch that catches wind every afternoon. For a straightforward everyday option, the Hawaii State Flag is built with double-stitched edges and brass grommets, two details worth checking on any flag that will spend time outside.
A 3 by 5 foot flag is a common choice for a residential pole or bracket. Before you order, measure the available clearance. The flag needs room to move without scraping a railing, window frame, tree, or roofline. If it is going on a staff, check the grommet placement and make sure the clips turn freely. A flag that wraps around a fixed pole all day gets worn out fast.
Do this
Match the flag size to your bracket and leave open air around the fly end.
Not this
Buy the largest flag available, then force it into a tight corner beside a wall or railing.
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Featured flag Hawaii State Flag Double-stitched edges and brass grommets give you a practical flag for a bracket or staff. Put Hawaii's historic colors where they can fly clear and look cared for. Shop VIP Discount → |
How to display Hawaii and U.S. flags together
At a home, school, or civic event, the U.S. flag gets the position of honor. When both flags are displayed on separate staffs, place the American flag to its own right, which is the observer's left. When the flags are on the same staff, the U.S. flag goes above the state flag. Keep them at the same height only when each flies from its own staff and the U.S. flag still holds the honor position.
The U.S. Flag Code is federal guidance, not a style suggestion, and it gives you a clean baseline for respectful display. Hawaii also has its own protocols and local practice. At a private home, the practical part is simple: hang both flags securely, keep either one off the ground, and bring them in when weather will tear them up.
Set the bracket high enough that the fabric can clear the wall, railings, and anyone walking beneath it.
Watch the weather
Take the flag down before sustained high wind or severe weather. A bent bracket, torn grommet, or frayed fly end does not make a better display.
Questions about the Hawaii state flag
Short answer
Hawaii's state flag has a Union Jack in the canton and eight horizontal stripes. The design comes from the Hawaiian Kingdom and the eight stripes refer to the main islands. For a home display, choose a size that clears the surrounding wall and hardware.
Why does Hawaii have the Union Jack on its state flag?
The Union Jack reflects the Hawaiian Kingdom's nineteenth-century relationship with Britain. Hawaii kept its historic flag after statehood, so the canton remains part of the official state design.
What do the eight stripes on the Hawaii flag mean?
The eight stripes represent the eight main islands in the Hawaiian chain: Hawaiʻi, Maui, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, and Niʻihau.
How much does a 3 by 5 state flag cost?
Prices change with material and current offers. Check the live product page for the current price, then confirm the flag size and hardware match the place where you plan to fly it.
Can Hawaii's flag fly with the American flag?
Yes. Fly the U.S. flag in the position of honor. On separate staffs, place it to its own right. On one staff, place it above the Hawaii flag.
Where this comes from
- State of Hawaii, Hawaii State Protocol Guide, consulted for official state flag protocol.
- Cornell Law School, 4 U.S. Code § 7, consulted for U.S. flag display position.
- Hawaiʻi State Archives, Flag Day, consulted for Hawaii flag history.
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