Hawaii State Motto: Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono
Fact-checked • Updated December 1, 2025
OFFICIAL STATE SEAL
"Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono"
The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness
About This Motto
Hawaii's state motto is Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono. Kamehameha III spoke these words on July 31, 1843. Legislature adopted it officially on May 1, 1959.
What the Motto Means
Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono. Hawaiian words carrying deep meaning. Ea translates to life or sovereignty. ʻĀina means land. Pono covers righteousness, goodness, fairness, balance.
Translation debates continue today. Official version says The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness. Alternative reading puts it as The sovereignty of the land is perpetuated in righteousness. Context from 1843 supports both interpretations.
King Kamehameha III spoke these words after regaining control of his kingdom. British occupation lasted five months. Admiral Richard Thomas restored Hawaiian sovereignty on July 31, 1843. Those specific circumstances shaped how people understood ea at the time.
Historical Background
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Richard Charlton Land Dispute (1840-1843)
Richard Charlton served as British consul since 1825. He claimed land on Oahu in 1840. Kamehameha III rejected the claim. Charlton lacked proper documentation under new land registration laws. Frustrated, Charlton left Hawaii for England via Mexico.
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Lord George Paulet Occupation (February 1843)
Charlton met Captain Lord George Paulet off Mexico coast late 1842. Convinced Paulet to investigate British subjects' complaints. HMS Carysfort arrived Honolulu harbor February 10, 1843. Paulet issued ultimatum February 17 with six demands. Threatened to bombard Honolulu.
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Forced Cession (February 25, 1843)
Kamehameha III surrendered under frigate's guns. Signed provisional cession on February 25, 1843. British flag replaced Hawaiian flag. Occupation began. King wrote he gave away the life of our land under duress. Hoped sovereignty would be restored.
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Hawaiian Diplomatic Mission
Timoteo Haʻalilio and William Richards traveled to England as envoys. Presented Hawaii's case to British Foreign Office. Lord Aberdeen assured them April 1, 1843 that Queen Victoria recognized Hawaiian independence. Diplomatic success undermined Paulet's position.
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Admiral Thomas Arrival (July 26, 1843)
Rear Admiral Richard Darton Thomas sailed from Valparaiso, Chile. Arrived Honolulu aboard HMS Dublin July 26, 1843. Reviewed Paulet's actions immediately. Determined Charlton's complaints did not warrant takeover. Paulet lacked authorization from British Admiralty for territorial seizure.
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Sovereignty Restoration (July 31, 1843)
Public ceremony held at Honolulu Fort (now Thomas Square). Admiral Thomas ordered British Union Jack lowered. Hawaiian flag raised again. 21-gun salute from HMS Dublin. American vessels joined the salute. Kamehameha III attended.
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Kawaiahao Church Declaration
Later that day, Kamehameha III spoke at Kawaiahao Church. Thanksgiving services celebrated restored sovereignty. King proclaimed Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono before large crowd. Words became kingdom's motto immediately. July 31 became national holiday called Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea (Restoration Day).
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Kingdom Coat of Arms (May 1845)
Motto first appeared on Kingdom of Hawaii coat of arms in May 1845. Official government symbol carried the Hawaiian phrase. Remained kingdom motto until 1893 overthrow.
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Statehood Adoption (May 1, 1959)
Hawaii became U.S. state August 21, 1959. Territorial Legislature adopted motto before statehood. Joint Resolution No. 4 of 30th Territorial Legislature passed May 1, 1959. Made Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono official state motto. Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 5-9 codifies it.
Meaning & Significance Today
State seal displays the motto prominently. You find it on government documents, driver's licenses, official buildings. Hawaii quarter shows it. Most residents know the phrase even without understanding full Hawaiian.
Hawaiian sovereignty movement uses this motto extensively. Ea as sovereignty holds special meaning for activists. July 31 gatherings commemorate 1843 restoration. Thomas Square hosts annual ceremonies. Waianae, Waimanalo, Hamakua, Waimea, Lahaina hold events.
Environmental groups adopted the phrase too. ʻĀina connection matters to land protection efforts. Pono guides ethical land stewardship. Modern interpretation extends beyond 1843 political context.
Cultural Context in Hawaii
1843 Political Context
Hawaiian Kingdom faced threats from multiple powers. Britain, France, United States all eyed Pacific control. Lord Paulet's seizure showed vulnerability. Diplomatic recognition became crucial for survival. Anglo-French Proclamation of November 28, 1843 recognized Hawaiian independence formally.
Hawaiian Concept of ʻĀina
ʻĀina translates literally as that which feeds. Land feeds people. People care for land. Reciprocal relationship defines Hawaiian culture. Western land ownership concepts clashed with Hawaiian traditions. 1840 Constitution and later Māhele of 1848 changed land tenure forever.
Pono in Hawaiian Philosophy
Pono goes beyond English righteousness. Balance, harmony, correctness all matter. Living pono means acting ethically toward land and people. Kamehameha III's use of pono in 1843 invoked moral justification for independence. Hawaii governed itself rightly, therefore sovereignty continued.
Thomas Square Dedication
Park named after Admiral Richard Thomas honors his role. Located downtown Honolulu near where ceremony occurred July 31, 1843. Bronze statue of Kamehameha III installed July 31, 2018 marking 175th anniversary. Plaque shows state motto and Hawaiian flag.
Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea Recognition
July 31 celebrated as national holiday during Kingdom era. Observances stopped after 1893 overthrow. Modern revival began late 20th century. Hawaii County Council requested official recognition 2015. Legislature considered bills to designate it special observance day. Not currently state holiday but commemorated annually.
Hawaiian Language Revival
Motto helps preserve Hawaiian language. Hawaiian became official state language alongside English in 1978. Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono remains one of most recognized Hawaiian phrases statewide. Schools teach its meaning and pronunciation.
Current Law
Hawaii Revised Statutes, Volume 1, Chapter 5, Section 5-9 establishes the motto. Text reads: 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.' Statute amended in 1979.
Interesting Facts About the Motto
Fact 1 of 10
Kamehameha III spoke the motto on July 31, 1843 after British returned sovereignty.
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. All information has been fact-checked and verified against official government records.
Official statute designating Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono as state motto (Section 5-9). • Accessed: December 31, 2025
Historical account of Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea and 1843 sovereignty restoration events. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
Detailed information about motto meaning, translations, and historical context. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
Detailed account of Paulet Episode and Admiral Thomas restoration. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
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