Curious Facts about Hawaii

The Hawaiian Flag has British Roots

Hawaii became the 50th State on August 21st 1959 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The state flag was it's former flag as an independent country. Its eight (8) white, red and blue stripes are there to represent each of the eight islands which make up Hawaii. The British symbol on the top left of the flag is there because Great Britain was previously known as Hawaii's protector.

Hawaii's state Flag
Source: US Senate

Barack Obama is from Hawaii

US President Barack Obama was born in Hawaii. Here is a picture of him as a kid playing in the beach.

Young Barack Obama in Hawaii
Long before Becomming our 44th President

Queen Liliuokalani lost Hawaii at Gunpoint

Queen Liliuokalani
Last queen of Hawaii

Although Queen Liliuokalani (the last Monarch of Hawaii) tried hard to keep her people's traditions and cultures alive, her power was basically usurped by the US. After only 3 years as queen she was finally forced to sign over her rule to the United States government at gunpoint.   Source Journal of Women in Educational Leadership, v5 n1 p3-5 Jan 2007