The Flag of the State of Hawaii is the official standard symbolizing Hawaii as a U.S. state, as it previously had
as a kingdom, protectorate, republic, and territory. It is the only state flag of the United States to have been flown under so many various
forms of government and the only State Flag to feature the Union Flag of the United Kingdom.
The canton of the flag of Hawaii contains the Union Flag of the United Kingdom, prominent over the top quarter closest to the flag mast.
The field of the flag is composed of eight horizontal stripes symbolizing the eight major islands (Hawaii, Oahu, Kauai, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui, Molokai and Niihau).
A ninth stripe was once included representing the island of Nihoa. The color of the stripes, from the top down, follows the sequence:
white, red, blue, white, red, blue, white, red. The colors were standardized in 1843, although other combinations have been seen
and are occasionally still used.
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