Ha'apea Hawaii Day: History, Symbolism, and the Revival of National Spirit

July thirty-first. In the calendar, the height of summer, heat, holidays. But for Hawaii and all those connected to this amazing archipelago, this date is not just a day in the calendar. It is Ha'apea Hawaii Day (Ka Hae Hawaii Day) — a festival that reminds us of the rich, dramatic, and often tragic history of the islands. It is a day when the Hawaiians, despite all the vicissitudes of fate, once again raise their unique flag — the only one in the USA that combines the star-spangled heritage of America and the British \"Union Jack.\" And behind this flag is not just a design, but an entire epic of independence, loss, and hope.

Roots of the Celebration: How a British Admiral Returned the Flag to Hawaii

The history of Ha'apea Hawaii Day does not begin in 1990 when it was officially proclaimed, but much earlier — in 1843. This was the year when Hawaii was on the verge of losing its independence.

It all started when British Captain George Pollard, acting on an old agreement between King Kamehameha I and Captain George Vancouver, decided that Hawaii was British territory. He ordered the destruction of all Hawaiian flags and hoisted the \"Union Jack\" in their place. This was an act of colonial tyranny that threatened the sovereignty of the young kingdom.

However, Britain, to its credit, did not support Pollard's autonomism. Admiral Richard Darton Thomas was sent to Hawaii to rectify the situation. On July 31, 1843, at the site now known as Thomas Square in Honolulu, the Hawaiian flag was raised again. King Kamehameha III, who had restored his lawful authority, spoke the historical words that became the motto of the state: \"Ua mau ke ea o ka 'aina i ka pono\" — \"The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.\"

This day became the first national holiday of Hawaii — the day of the restoration of independence. And although today's Ha'apea Hawaii Day has official status since 1990, its roots go back to this dramatic event of the 19th century.

The Flag of Kamehameha: Design Where Empires Mixed

The flag that was raised that day was created long before 1843. Its author was King Kamehameha I himself, who unified the Hawaiian Islands into a single state. In 1816, he proposed a design that should reflect both local identity and international relations.

Eight alternating horizontal stripes — white, red, and blue — symbolize the eight main islands of the archipelago: Oahu, Maui, Lanai, Kauai, Kahoolawe, Molokai, Ni'ihau, and the Big Island. And in the upper left corner, the flag of Britain — the \"Union Jack\" — was placed. This was not an accident: it reminds of the period when Hawaii was under British protectorate (1794–1843) and also of friendly relations with the British crown.

Today, the flag of Hawaii is the only state flag in the USA that contains a foreign national symbol. This makes it unique and at the same time reminds of the complex, layered history of the islands where the influences of different powers intertwined.

Ha'apea Hawaii Day Today: How 31 July is Celebrated

In 1990, Hawaii Governor John Waihe'e III signed a proclamation declaring July 31 as Ha'apea Hawaii Day. Since then, this day has been celebrated annually. It is not just a formality, but an opportunity for the Hawaiians to remember their history and honor the symbol that has survived monarchy, annexation, and statehood.

Observances take place throughout the archipelago, but the most significant events are organized by the U.S. National Park Service. Ceremonies are held simultaneously in five national parks on the islands of Hawaii and Maui. The program includes demonstrations of bamboo flute (pū 'ohe) music, presentations by invited speakers about the history of Lā Hae Hawai'i, and, of course, the ceremonial hoisting of the flag. The Hawaiian flag is entitled to flutter independently of the American flag in these parks, as well as at the 'Iolani Palace and the Royal Mausoleum.

For the Hawaiians, this day is not just a reason to remember the past. It is an act of cultural revitalization, a reminder that despite all historical upheavals, the spirit of the nation and its symbols are alive. As one description of the festival states, the Hawaiians celebrate the founding anniversary of their flag — a symbol of independence and a guarantee of national sovereignty — noisily and broadly.

A Symbol That Outlived Empires

The Hawaiian flag is not just a piece of cloth. It is a testament to how a small kingdom in the center of the Pacific Ocean skillfully navigated between the great powers, preserving its identity. It has witnessed both the rise and fall of the monarchy in 1893 when a group of American businessmen, supported by marines, overthrew Queen Liliuokalani. It was a witness to the annexation of Hawaii by the United States in 1898 and the acquisition of statehood in 1959 as the 50th state. And astonishingly, in 1993, Congress officially recognized the illegality of the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy.

Today, Ha'apea Hawaii Day is not just a tribute to history. It is a reminder that even in the face of globalization and political changes, a nation can preserve its symbols and its memory. For the Hawaiians, this is a day when the \"Union Jack\" and the eight stripes regain their voice, telling the world the history of islands that have never stopped fighting for their \"righteousness.\"

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