State Symbols
The State Flag
The State Flag has eight stripes (representing the eight major islands), of white, red and blue; the field closely resembles the Union Jack of Great Britain, from which the original flag apparently was designed.
State of Hawaii State Seal
The State Seal has a heraldic shield in the center and a figure of King Kamehameha I on its right side and the Goddess of Liberty holding the Hawaiian flag on its left. Below the shield is the Phoenix surrounded by taro leaves, banana foliage, and sprays of maidenhair fern. With color added, the seal becomes the State Coat of Arms.
The State Motto
The words Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono which mean "The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness." The saying is attributed to King Kamehameha III on July 31, 1843, when the Hawaiian flag was once more raised after a brief period of unauthorized usurpation of authority by a British admiral.
The State Anthem
Hawaii Ponoi, written by King David Kalakaua and set to music by Prof. Henry Berger, the Royal Bandmaster. It was also the anthem of the Kingdom and the Territory of Hawaii.
| Hawaii Ponoi | Be loyal to your chief |
| Nana i kou moi | Hawaii’s own true sons |
| Ka lani alii | You country’s liege and lord |
| Ke alii | The chief |
| Hui | Chorus |
| Makua lani e | Royal father |
| Kamehameha e | Kamehameha |
| Na kaua e pale | Shall defend in war |
| Me ka ihe | With spears |
| Hawaii Ponoi | Hawaiiʻs own true sons |
| Nana i na alii | Look to your chief |
| Na pua muli kou | Those chiefs of younger birth |
| Na pokii | Younger descent |
| Hawaii Ponoi | Hawaii’s own true sons |
| E ka lahui e | People of loyal heart |
| O kau hana nui | The only duty lies |
| E u ie | List and abide |
