When Hawaii Almost Became British By Mistake!

Chris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life.

The 1843 Paulet Affair, when Britian briefly took over the kingdom of Hawaii...by mistake!

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Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:47 British-Hawaiian Relations
1:32 Hawaiian Flag
2:57 Foreign Encroachment
4:19 Richard Charlton
5:16 American Missionaries
6:52 Charlton's Land Claims
9:23 Lord George Paulet
10:34 Paulet Seizes Hawaii
13:05 Horror in London
14:11 Admiral Thomas
15:36 End of British Occupation
17:08 Aftermath
18:47 End of Hawaiian Kingdom


Ever wondered why Hawaii's state flag features the British Union Jack, even though Hawaii was never part of the British Empire? Well... that's not entirely true.
In 1843, for five extraordinary months, the Union Jack flew alone over Honolulu as Hawaii briefly became a British territory - not through grand imperial design, but thanks to a rogue naval captain and a corrupt diplomat who acted far beyond their authority.
This is the incredible true story of the Paulet Affair: how Captain Lord George Paulet of HMS Carysfort forced King Kamehameha III to surrender his kingdom to Queen Victoria, creating one of the most bizarre occupations in colonial history.
What You'll Discover:

How British Consul Richard Charlton's shady land deals sparked an international crisis
Why Captain Paulet issued an ultimatum demanding Hawaii's surrender to Britain
The dramatic moment when the Hawaiian flag was lowered and replaced with the Union Jack
How Admiral Thomas reversed the occupation and restored Hawaiian independence
Why this forgotten incident nearly changed the course of World War II

Key Timeline:

1778: Captain Cook's first contact with Hawaii
1816: Hawaii adopts a flag incorporating the Union Jack
1843: The five-month British occupation begins and ends
1898: Hawaii is annexed by the United States
1959: Hawaii becomes the 50th U.S. state

This story reveals how the British Empire often expanded through the unauthorized actions of individuals rather than coordinated government policy. It also shows how different Pacific history might have been if Britain had kept Hawaii - imagine Pearl Harbor as a Royal Navy base during WWII!
The consequences of this brief occupation are still visible today: July 31st remains Restoration Day in Hawaii, Thomas Square in downtown Honolulu honors the admiral who ended the crisis, and the king's words upon restoration - "The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness" - became Hawaii's official state motto.
From the corrupt machinations of Consul Charlton to the diplomatic crisis that reached the highest levels of British government, this is a tale of imperial overreach, international intrigue, and the resilience of a small Pacific kingdom caught between great powers.

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My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.

History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.

My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"

Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham and am a member of the Royal Historical Society.
I am also a member of the Victorian Military Society, the Anglo Zulu War Society and the Military Historical Society.

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The History Chap is a trading name of Chris Green Communication Ltd, a company registered in England & Wales (Co No: 05025587)