Flags to be Lowered in Honor of King George Tupou V

Flag half-staff. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Hawai’i flags will fly at half-staff tomorrow, Tuesday, March 27, in honor of the late King George Tupou V of Tonga.

Governor Neil Abercrombie issued the order, expressing condolences to the people of Tonga for the loss.

He also recognized the king’s accomplishments saying, “King George Tupou V upon taking the throne in 2006 championed a more open system of government, advocating for technological improvements, introducing a more open economy, and pioneering a process of peaceful democratization,” said Gov. Abercromobie.

The South Pacific nation will hold funeral and burial ceremonies from March 26 to March 27, and has declared those days a national public holiday.  The mourning period is expected to last for three months, through June 19, 2012.