Title 1, General Provisions

[§5-11.5] State fish. The humuhumunukunukuapua`a (Rhinecanthus rectangulus), also known as the rectangular triggerfish, is established and designated as the official fish of the State. [L 2006, c 67, §2]

[§5-11.7] State shrimp. The `ōpae `ula (Halocaridina rubra), also known as the red shrimp, is established and designated as the official shrimp of the State. [L 2025, c 71, §2]

[§5-12] State marine mammal. The humpback whale is established and designated as the official marine mammal of the State, to be effective so long as the legislature of the State does not otherwise provide. [L 1979, c 110, §1]

[§5-12.2] State land mammal. The ōpe`ape`a, otherwise known as the Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus), is established and designated as the official land mammal of the State. [L 2015, c 13, §2]

[§5-12.5] State mammal. The Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) is established and designated as the official mammal of the State. [L 2008, c 72, §2]

[§5-13.5] State individual sport. Surfing is adopted, established, and designated as the official individual sport of the State. [L 1998, c 174, §2]

[§5-14] State team sport. Outrigger canoe paddling is adopted, established, and designated as the official team sport of the State, to be effective for as long as the legislature of the State does not otherwise provide. [L 1986, c 219, §2]

[§5-15] State gem. The black coral is established and designated as the official gem of the State. [L 1987, c 9, §1]

[§5-15.5] State plant. Kalo (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott), the Hawaiian word for taro, is adopted, established, and designated as the official plant of the State. [L 2007, c 36, §2; am L 2008, c 71, §1]

[§5-15.7] State limu. Limu kala (Sargassum echinocarpum), the Hawaiian word for the water plant endemic to Hawaii, is adopted, established, and designated as the official limu of the State. [L 2023, c 230, §2]

§5-16 State flower and individual island flowers. The native yellow hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei A. Gray), also known as the Pua Aloalo or Ma`o-hau-hele, is established and designated as the official flower of the State. The `ōhi`a lehua (metrosideros macropus M. collina), al…

[§5-16.5] Official island colors. The color red is established and designated as the official color of the island of Hawai`i. The color pink is established and designated as the official color of the island of Maui. The color golden yellow is established and designated as the off…

[§5-17] State bird. The nene (Branta sandwicensis), also known as the Hawaiian goose, is established and designated as the official bird of the State. [L 1988, c 178, §1]

[§5-18] State flag. As used in this [chapter], unless the context otherwise requires: "Flag" means any flag, standard, color, ensign, or any picture or representation of either made of any substance or represented on any substance, and of any size, evidently purporting to be, eit…

[§5-18.5] POW/MIA (prisoner of war/missing in action) flag; recognition; use. (a) The State recognizes the National League of Families' POW/MIA (prisoner of war/missing in action) flag that was recognized by the United States Congress through P. L. 101-355 on August 10, 1990. (b)…

[§5-19] Description of the Hawaiian flag. The official description of the Hawaiian flag as authorized to represent the State of Hawaii on land and sea, and authorized for executive state agencies, second to the stars and stripes of the United States shall be: (1) The Hawaiian fla…

[§5-20] Public display of Hawaiian flag; position. On every occasion of public display of the Hawaiian flag, within the State of Hawaii, it shall occupy the position of honor when displayed in company with the flags of other states, nations or international organizations; provide…

[§5-21] State dance. Hula is adopted, established, and designated as the official dance of the State. [L 1999, c 83, §2]

§5-22 Hawaii medal of honor. (a) The Hawaii medal of honor may be awarded on behalf of the people of the State of Hawaii to an individual who has been killed in action while: (1) Engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; (2) Engaged in military operations involv…

[§5-23] State gesture. The shaka is adopted, established, and designated as the official gesture of the State. For the purposes of this section, the shaka generally consists of extending the thumb and smallest finger while holding the three middle fingers curled, and gesturing in…

§5-5 State seal, description. The great seal of the State shall be circular in shape, two and three-quarters inches in diameter, and of the design being described, with the tinctures added as a basis for the coat of arms as follows: Arms. An heraldic shield which is quarterly; fi…

§5-6 Seal; commercial use. Whoever uses any representation of the great seal or the coat of arms of the State in any advertisement or for any commercial purpose or in any manner likely to give the impression of official State approval shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. The precedi…

§5-6.5 State language. (a) The Hawaiian language is the native language of Hawaii and may be used on all emblems and symbols representative of the State and its departments, agencies, and political subdivisions. (b) The governor, lieutenant governor, state legislators, and heads …

§5-7 State popular name. The name "The Aloha State" is adopted, established, and designated as the official "popular" name for the State, to be effective so long as the legislature of the State does not otherwise provide. [L 1959, JR 1, §1; Supp, §14-5.1; HRS §5-7]

[§5-7.5] "Aloha Spirit". (a) "Aloha Spirit" is the coordination of mind and heart within each person. It brings each person to the self. Each person must think and emote good feelings to others. In the contemplation and presence of the life force, "Aloha", the following unuhi lau…

[§5-7.6] Aloha order of merit. (a) There is established the Aloha order of merit, within the office of the governor for administrative purposes, to honor individuals selected under this section. Individuals conferred the lifetime title of "member of the Aloha order of merit" shal…

§5-7.7 Aloha order of merit location. There shall be set aside within the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport an area to exhibit commemorative displays honoring members of the order. The displays may include likenesses of members and descriptions of the meritorious achievement…

§5-8 State tree. The kukui tree, also known as the candlenut tree (Aleurites Moluccana), is adopted, established, and designated as the official tree of the State, to be effective so long as the legislature of the State does not otherwise provide. [L 1959, JR 3, §1; Supp, §14-5.2…

[§5-8.5] State endemic tree. `Ōhi`a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) is adopted, established, and designated as the official endemic tree of the State. [L 2022, c 25, §2]

§5-9 State motto. The motto "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono", is adopted, established, and designated as the official motto of the State. It is translated into English to mean "The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness". [L 1959, JR 4, §1; Supp, §14-5.3; HRS §5-9; am…