Ua Mau ke Ea o ka Aina i ka Pono
Ua Mau ke Ea o ka Aina i ka Pono is a
Hawaiian phrase meaning "The life (sovereignty) of the land is (by) perpetuated in righteousness ", and is the
state motto of
Hawaii.
The motto was adopted by the
Kingdom of Hawaii in
1843, and was used in an address by
King Kamehameha III at ceremonies following the return of his kingdom from the British. Hawaii had been ceded to
England by the British captain
George Paulet, after he claimed large debts were owed by Hawaiian nobility. After Kamehameha III notified
London of the captians actions, Admiral
Richard Thomas returned sovereignty back to the King.
The motto is also retained from the
Hawaiian Royal Coat of Arms.
