Provisions for a seal for the state of Hawaii were enacted by the Territorial Legislature and approved by Governor William F. Quinn on June 8, 1959.

[3] The Great Seal of the State of Hawaii is circular in shape, two and three-quarters inches in diameter, and of the design being described, with the tinctures added as the basis for the coat of arms.

The blazon is as follows Quarterly, 1st and 4th, barry of eight Argent, Gules, and Azure; 2nd and 3rd, Or, a puloulou or sacred staff proper; en surtout, an inescutcheon Vert charged with a mullet Or.

On the left side is King Kamehameha I, standing in the as represented by the bronze statue in front of Ali'iolani Hale, Honolulu.

After Kamehameha III notified London of the captain's actions, Admiral Richard Darton Thomas returned sovereignty back to the King.