One bill introduced early in this legislative session caused a big stir in the islands, sparking passionate conversations all over social media about the Hae Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian flag).
HB 1385, introduced by Rep. Andrew Takuya Garrett, aimed to create a commission to redesign the Hawaiʻi State flag. Garrett’s intention was to allow the Hae Hawaiʻi to only represent the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi and not the State of Hawaiʻi.
“I saw this as a social justice issue, and I was trying to show my support for the flag remaining in the exclusive domain of the Hawaiian Kingdom,” Garret said. “That was the only discussion I was trying to raise.”
However, many people interpreted the bill in ways that Garrett did not intend. Some viewed it as a distraction from more important issues facing Native Hawaiians. Others saw it as an attempt to erase the Hae Hawaiʻi along with its rich history and symbolism.
The earliest Hae Hawaiʻi was adopted in 1816 by Kamehameha I. It had the British Union Jack in the top left corner and nine stripes (three sets of red, white and blue). Its design was influenced by the flag of the British East India Company – whose members were regular visitors to Hawaiʻi at the time.
During the reign of Kamehameha III, the flag was modified to include just eight stripes with a white stripe on top followed by the sequence red, blue, white, red, blue, white, red. The new flag was officially unfurled on May 25, 1845, at the opening of the kingdom’s legislative council and it is the same Hae Hawaiʻi that endured through the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, the “Republic” of Hawaiʻi, the “Territory” of Hawaiʻi, and, now, the State of Hawaiʻi.
For Native Hawaiians, our Hae Hawaiʻi is an abiding symbol of Hawaiian sovereignty and a source of tremendous pride – hence the overwhelming negative community response when HB 1385 was introduced.
Community advocate Kainoa Azama felt the backlash was reminiscent of the resistance seen across the pae ʻāina following the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. “Following the overthrow, there was [an effort] to change Hawaiʻi’s anthem (Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī) because the insurgents didn’t want any remnants of the kingdom. But the people refused. They were still very much aligned to the kingdom,” said Azama.
“Even though that happened over 100 years ago – the resistance is still here, because we know who we are. We know where we come from. And no, I’m sorry. We have different ideas about what needs to change.”
Garrett did not anticipate this response but has come to understand it by listening to the community.
“I regret how this has played out, because it was not my intention again to try to erase the deep symbolism and the meaning behind Hae Hawaiʻi,” said Garrett.
The bill officially died on February 14 at Garrett’s request.
The demise of HB 1385 is an example of how our civic engagement can impact outcomes at the legislature. When community members call their representatives and senators about issues that are important to them, it opens space for discussion and allows for different perspectives and solutions to be considered.
“I learned a very valuable lesson. I did reach out to [representatives of] the Native Hawaiian community. It’s obviously a very complex and deeply sensitive issue,” Garrett reflected.
“It really demonstrates the power of our community when we all come together,” Azama remarked. “How we, as a people, can come together to effect change. It’s a good reminder of what people can accomplish when we organize effectively.”
Although HB 1385 has died, there are dozens of other bills introduced during this current legislative session that deserve our attention. It is as good a time as any to get involved.
“I think one of the big things is recognizing the importance of working together,” Azama said. “As they say, ʻif you want to go fast, go alone.’ But if you want to go far and you want to make the distance, then work together.”
Civic engagement doesn’t just happen at the legislature, it can start in your own backyard – from community service activities to participation on your local neighborhood board. From our individual communities to our pae ʻāina to the rest of the world, if we want to see positive change, we need to be actively engaged in advocating for equity, justice and peace – for people and the ʻāina – not just now, but for the generations that follow.
“Civic engagement is about being an agent of change. It is important that we leave this world dramatically better than it was when we entered it,” Azama said.
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