Flag Day, or Ka Hae Hawaii Day, is observed in Hawaii every July 31. This holiday honors the flag of Hawaii, which symbolizes the islands as one of the U.S. states. The Hawaiian flag was designed in 1816 during the reign of King Kamehameha I and was officially adopted in 1845. It features eight horizontal stripes representing the eight major islands of the state, along with a smaller depiction of the flag of the United Kingdom in the upper left corner, reflecting Hawaii's historical ties to the UK. Flag Day was proclaimed by Governor John D. Waihee III in 1990, and since then, it has been celebrated annually to recognize the significance of the Hawaiian flag.