Thomas Square
Interactive Park Map
About the Location
Historic Significance
Thomas Square is a historic 6.5-acre public park located in Honolulu, Hawaii. Established in 1850, it holds the distinction of being Hawaii's oldest public park.
The square is named after British Rear Admiral Richard Darton Thomas, who played a significant role in restoring the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1843 after a brief period of British occupation.
Cultural Heritage
Thomas Square holds great historical and cultural significance for Hawaii. It was the site where King Kamehameha III uttered the phrase that would become Hawaii's state motto: "Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono" (The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness).
This event is commemorated annually on July 31st, known as Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea or Restoration Day.
Notable Features
The park is surrounded by a trimmed mock orange hedge and features a large cascading fountain as its centerpiece. The landscape includes several notable tree species, including banyan, flowering shower, and Hawaiian "fish poison" trees.
A expansive lawn area provides open space for visitors to enjoy. The park's pathways are arranged in the form of the British flag, a nod to its historical connection.
Monuments and Renovations
In 2018, to mark the 175th anniversary of the restoration of Hawaiian sovereignty, a 12-foot high bronze sculpture of Kamehameha III was installed in the park, along with a flagpole flying the Hawaiian flag.
Thomas Square is one of only four sites in Hawaii where the Hawaiian flag is permitted to fly alone without the United States flag. Over the years, the park has undergone several renovations, with the most recent major update completed in 1967.
It continues to serve as a gathering place for the community and a site for various cultural events and activities.
