History of Hawaiian Flag

When Kamehameha commissioned the original Ka Hae Hawai’i (Hawaiian flag) for the Kingdom of Hawai’i, he chose to represent the four major aka (gods) with the stripes. Lono is White. Käne and Kanaloa are Blue. Kü is Red.

Kamehameha also thought about the order of the stripes.

When the flag is upright, the top stripe is White, for Lono who is the god of agriculture, fertility, sports, and PEACE.

When you see the flag upside down, the international sign of a country in distress, the top stripe is Red, for Kü who is the god of government, politics, and WAR.

If in Peace or ready for War, always fly Ka Hae Hawai’i high.