The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-08-13
CThrum's Annual. 1ssOJ

We exceedingly regret to report an un-
successful search for the history of the
present flag of these Islands, the time Of
its adoption and the parties interested in
it's formation; but after diligent Inquiries
and research through volumes Of voy-
ages, histories, periodicals and manu-
script journals during the past three
years. we have to acknowledge the main
fact lost in oblivion, while reference
thereto in various voyages and histories
are confusing and contradictory.
There is a general idea and BELIEF
among many of our old Residents that the
present Hawaiian flag was made by the
late Capt. Alex. Adams before his voyage
TO China i'm the brig Kaahumanu, in hS.1
and was by him first flown not only In
she Chinese waters, but on the coast of
California. Others again have the inn
preston that a flag was brought from
China by him; but can gather no in
formation cOrrobOrative as to who was
authorized in Chinese waters TO design
a flag for this, even small kingdom,
though the description given, viz: \ St
George and St. Andrews cross in the cor
ner filled in with blue, with a field con-
sisting of red and white stripes, shows
almost virtually the East India tag. Re
ferring TO Capt. Adams journal, we hnd
the following mention only, that touches
upon the points in question: April 1916
the King Of these Islands, having
strong passion to purchase the brig (For-
roster Of London) and expressing the
same. Capt Ebbetts and myself We're &C
cordingly deputed to treat with him, but
he would not purchase her without 1
would enter his service as her command
er / resultingly acquiesced, the brig be
ing given up to him at Kealakekua, and
called by him Kaahumanu.........I was
accordingly honored on taking command
with the flag of his Majesty and a salute
of eleven guns
This certainly refutes the general be-
Lien that the flag was made by Capt.
Adams as his own narrative shows a f1aS
to have been here before him; but whetn-
er the present one or some other, we can
not gather, for it is evident that there
has been more than one. In another por-
ton of his journal is an allusion TO
Aag-but also without deScrlpuon-tnaL
has no doubt given rise to the idea OF ms
making the nag, where, at almea
Kauai, at which port he had toucIleu
from Honolulu for supplies, en route TOT
China he notes. March y, lSlt......GstEe
the King our ensign to hoist in lieu or
the Russian who said IT was on account
Of his having no other
II is to be borne in mind that the allu-
sion here is to the King of Kauai, ana
kA d.
own King till 1921, and his possession OF
a Russian flag while the principal town
was occupied by Russian colony, was
Ftndinr these theories of Capt. Adams
authorship exploded by his own WRITINGS,
search was made in other directions, WIZ
the following result: Vancouver IN ms
last visit, 1898, when he assured name
hameha of Englands friendship and pro
lection. gave him an English nag, Whicil
We find nv Archibald Campbell, in his
voyage round the world. 1SO6-lSl2,' ar
irving at these Islands December lNOS'
that the English cOlOrS We're uSeu, loI ne
saws. THE Kings residence, built close
lIpon the shore and surrounded by par
isade upon the land side, was dlSJlh-
puiShed by the British COlorS.
Jarves states (p. go, describing the per
iod of about 1876 speaks OF the mas a
somewhat similar to the present W.
English union with seven alterhaIed reu
,rbira and blue stripes. This, however
is not corroborated by Lord Byron IN ms
voyage of the Blonde in 1872 IN WI11iIc 9 n liz
jescribes the flag as follows: ION all days
of ceremony the Sandwich flag IS holSleC
on the fortS it has seven Whlte ana re-
stripes. with the Union Jack in the cor
This IS almost the East India flag be
fore described. and cOnfuses the Searchel
after truth as to when the severe
rbanges took place If Jarves is correc
i'm the flag he describes, ana ne Ger ~
was i'm a position to know WhefeOL II'
wrote it is grave errOr,ln the records
Of the VOYAGE of the Blonde to give 81
different one nine years later. Inc pres
emf flag has eight stripes, repreStHOlIls
the eight Islands of the Sroup-NillIe' re,
and blue with Union Jack in the corner
cant Hunt who was here IN the base
IisLL I'm 1915 is said to have changed tn
relative position of the colorS OF IN
stripes by placing the WnlJe on Iop III
stead Of at the bottom. JnouEu lhStt 4
a possibility of this being the uln9 D. 3L aI
ding the eighth stripe. JarNes ana Blroi
nn'7tfoning only seven. Capt. Hunt /
also accredited with designing the foNa
standard now in use.