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 Hawaiian Islands
Formerly Sandwich Islands
Abbr.
H.I.
A group of volcanic and coral islands in
the central Pacific Ocean coextensive with the state of Hawaii. There are
eight major islands and more than a hundred minor ones. The islands were
settled by Polynesians in the sixth century A.D. and visited by Capt.
James Cook in 1778. They were ruled by native monarchs from 1795 until
1893, when Queen Liliuokalani was deposed. A republic was proclaimed the
following year, but petitions for annexation by the United States were
finally approved in 1898.
Hawaii
Abbr.
HI
A state of the United States in the
central Pacific Ocean comprised of the eight (8) main Hawaiian Islands. The islands became
a U.S. territory in 1900, which was admitted as the 50th state in 1959.
Honolulu, on Oahu, is the capital and the largest city.
Population:
1,115,274.
 The
state flag was adopted in 1894. Some do not know that Hawaii was once an
independent kingdom ruled by a monarchy (1810 - 1893). That is why the
only royal palace in the United States is located in Honolulu -
Iolani
Palace.
The flag was designed at the request of King Kamehameha
I. It has eight stripes of white, red and blue that represent the eight
main islands. The flag of Great Britain is emblazoned in the upper left
corner to honor Hawaii's friendship with the British who provided
protection to the islands until 1816.
- For more information on Iolani Palace click
here.
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