Why is the Union Jack in the Hawaii State Flag?

If you do not live on island, you probably have not paid much attention to the state flag of Hawaii.  Or maybe you have noticed it and thought it was Australian!  Nope.  Hawaii is a state with its own state flag but  it does appear that the Union Jack is featured in the Hawaii state flag.

The Hawaiian state flag is red, white, and blue.  The 8 stripes represent the 8 islands that comprise the state. The British Union Jack in the upper left-hand corner represents Hawaii’s  relationship with Great Britian as its protectorate. It also represents a stylized puela (a triangular standard laying across 2 crossed spears called an “alia”) that is the symbol of the Hawaiian ali’i (ie, chiefs and other status positions).

The British explorer James Cook is credited with being the first European to set foot on Hawaii; the date is given as 1778. Cook named the islands the “Sandwich Islands” in honor of his sponsor John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich (the same guy who “invented” the modern lunch staple, the “sandwich”).  The natives called the area Owyhee.

Cook landed on the west side of Kaua’i in what is know known as mouth of the Waimea River.  A monument was erected near the actual landing site (but some say that sediment and silt has added to the island, so the real site is unknown).  If you cross the Waimea River Bridge and drive about a quarter mile past the bridge, you will see the Captain Cook Monument in the center of the town.

We like to think that even James Cook knew a good landing spot and that is why he selected Kaua’i over the other 7 islands for his initial exploring……Come land in one of our affordable luxury Kauai vacation rental condos and explore our beautiful island.

View all our great properties at our website: www.hulanow.com

Islander on the Beach

Unit 111: Partial Ocean View – Ground floor – 2 Full Beds

Unit 170: Partial Ocean View – Ground floor – 2 Full Beds

Unit 222: Almost Ocean Front – Second Floor – Queen Bed

Unit 250: Ocean Front – Second Floor – King Bed

Unit 361: Ocean View – Third Floor – King Bed

Kauai Beach Resort

Unit 1317: Lagoon/Partial Ocean View – Third Floor – King Bed

Kapaa Sands

Unit 7: Ocean Front Coastal Views – Second Floor – Queen Bed

Unit 9: Ocean Front Coastal Views – Second Floor – Queen Bed