Governor Josh Green and his wife, First Lady Jaime Kanani Green, received the Royal Standard of Queen Lili'uokalani, Hawai'i's last reigning monarch, returning it to Washington Palace. The Queen's Royal Standard was placed on public view for the first time in 130 years, marking a significant moment in Hawai'i's history.
"Queen Lili'uokalani was a prime example of peace, prosperity, and servant leadership," First Lady Green said in a release. "She put the well-being of her people first and provided resources in perpetuity for future generations of Hawai'i. The Royal Standard carries the Queen's mana, including her legacy of leadership that allows Hawai'i to move forward in unity toward a brighter future for our keiki. It has been a humbling honor to welcome the standard home, where it belongs."
Queen Lili‘uokalani was the last monarch of Hawai'i's Kingdom.
The Royal Standard of Queen Lili'uokalani, the final monarch to reign in Hawai'i, has been brought back to her residence at Washington Palace and put on public display for the first time in 130 years. Gov. Green and First Lady Green officially received the Queen's Royal Standard during a ceremonial procession, carried by Royal Guard and Sheriff bearers, on Monday.
U.S. Military Forum noted the provisional government illegally seized the Royal Standard of Queen Lili'uokalani during the overthrowing of Hawai'i's Kingdom in 1893.
"Queen Lili'uokalani was a prime example of peace, prosperity, and servant leadership," First Lady Green said. "She put the well-being of her people first and provided resources in perpetuity for future generations of Hawai'i. The Royal Standard carries the Queen's mana, including her legacy of leadership that allows Hawai'i to move forward in unity toward a brighter future for our keiki. It has been a humbling honor to welcome the standard home, where it belongs."
First Lady Green said to Big Island Now having the flag empowers Hawai'i.
According to the Governor's press release, the Queen's Royal Standard was illegally seized in 1893. Prior to the illegal seizure of Queen Lili'uokalani's Royal Standard, it flew over Washington Place when the Queen was at home. The standard was returned after State Archives were alerted that it was listed for auction. According to State Archivist Adam Jansen, "Princess Abigail Kawānanakoa stepped forward to purchase the Queen’s Royal Standard, and Brendan Damon Ethington purchased the ‘Soper letters,’ which included official reports and troop dispositions regarding the overthrow and subsequent counterrevolution.”
Jansen said in U.S. Military Forum the flag is a representation of Queen Lili'uokalani herself.
According to the Governor's office, the standard will be joining other Hawaiian Kingdom standards in the State Archives. However, all are in need of restoration, but Jansen remains hopeful that sufficient funding will be raised "to have these rare pieces of Hawai'i history undergo full conservation treatment."