Flag of Hawaii

What the flag looks like

Eight horizontal stripes repeating white, red and blue from the top, with the Union Jack in the canton.

What it means

The eight stripes stand for the eight main islands; the Union Jack recalls the Hawaiian Kingdom's early friendship with Britain.

How to remember it

Hawaii is the only US state wearing the Union Jack, over eight white-red-blue stripes, one for each main island.

Fun facts

• It is the only US state flag to include the flag of another country.
• The same flag has flown over Hawaii as a kingdom, a republic, a US territory and a state.

Hawaii at a glance

Nickname

The Aloha State

Statehood

1959

Capital

Honolulu

Region

Pacific

Population

1.5 million

Area

28,313 km²

Flag adopted

1845

Flags often confused with Hawaii

• United Kingdom: The United Kingdom's Union Jack appears in Hawaii's canton. The UK flag is the Union Jack alone; Hawaii adds eight white, red and blue stripes.
• United States: The United States and Hawaii both have horizontal stripes and a canton. The US has red and white stripes with 50 stars on blue; Hawaii has white, red and blue stripes with the Union Jack.