Page 61 - Hawaii: Diving, Surfing, Pearl Harbor, Volcanoes and More

here are various accounts of the earliest as historically accurate, one account stated the Royal Hawaiian Navy, former officers of
T history of the flag of Hawaii. One re- that in order to placate American interests the British Royal Navy, who advised Kame-
lates how King Kamehameha I flew a British during the War of 1812, a flag of the United hameha, based on a form of the British
flag, probably a Red Ensign, given to him by States was raised over Kamehameha’s naval flag. There is debate as to the actual
British explorer Captain George Vancouver home, only to be removed when British of- designer: some credit Alexander Adams,
as a token of friendship with King George ficers in the court of Kamehameha vehe- others George Beckley. It was very similar
III. Subsequent visitors reported seeing the mently objected to it. This explains why the to the flag of the British East India Company
flag flying from places of honor. An adviser resulting flag of Hawaii was a deliberate in use about this time which had only red
to Kamehameha noted that the Union hybrid of the two nations’ flags. and white stripes. Captain Adams used this
Flag could draw Hawaii into international flag for the first time on a Hawaiian trade
conflict, as his kingdom could be seen n 1816, Kamehameha commissioned his mission to China in 1817.
as an ally of the United Kingdom, and he I own flag to avoid this conflict, which has
subsequently lowered the Union Flag over evolved into the current flag. It was prob-
his home at Kamakahonu. While disputed ably designed by one of the commanders of