Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0985.003 2016-2018 P 16R Epc 1Z.es0. °AO ®FAA COMM. q%5 OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS C Administrative Testimony ` co Testimony of Kamana`opono Crabbe, Ph.D. r.. � Ka Pouhana, Chief Executive Officer r.,) c:r< -11 c-) Hawaii County Council 2m Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development v ?: RESOLUTION NO. 640-18vi y_7z a July 24, 2018 1:00 p.m. West Hawaii Civic Center The Administration of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) appreciates the opportunity to submit testimony in SUPPORT of Resolution No. 640-18, which urges the State Board on Geographic Names (Board) to consult with community members who have direct traditional, cultural, and familial ties to the district of Puna, to establish names for the Fissure 8 vent and other features of the 2018 eruption of Kilauea volcano. OHA believes that Resolution 640-18's recommended approach of engaging knowledgeable community members, including, presumably, speakers of `Olelo Hawaii, will help to ensure the selection of deeply meaningful and culturally appropriate names for the features created by this historic geologic event. As background, the Board is responsible for designating the official names and spellings of geographic features in Hawai`i. In its deliberations, the Board solicits and considers the advice and recommendations of appropriate County government officials, and, should the Board desire, other knowledgeable persons. The Board's decisions are published annually, with information regarding the location of named geographic features, and the origin and meaning of their names. This, along with other pertinent information, is sent to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names. See HRS §4E-3. Board members include representatives from the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Hawaiian Homes Commission, the University of Hawaii, the Bernice P. Bishop Museum, as well as OHA itself, among others. See Haw. Rev. Stat. (HRS) §4E-1. OHA believes that the application of the Board's established guidelines and responsibilities, as contemplated by Resolution 640-18, will help to further normalize the appropriate use of 'Olelo Hawaii. OHA notes that the Board's guidelines give preference to Hawaiian names, and state that for new names, non-Hawaiian names are to be avoided. See attached Exhibit A, Hawaii Board on Geographic Names. The Board is also statutorily required to identify the origin and meaning(s) of names it adopts, encouraging deep and thoughtful discussion in its development and selection of names. OHA has long supported efforts to revitalize and normalize `Olelo Hawaii, and appreciates that, given the Board's goivint No. Q 65.3 Ref. To: PIOCUG Ref. Dote JUL 2 4 2018 Hawai`i County Council Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development July 24, 2018 Page 2 of 2 guidelines and responsibilities, Resolution No. 640-18's request for the Board's assistance is consistent with such efforts.' OHA further commends Resolution No. 640-18's request that the Board exercise its discretion and consult with community members who have direct traditional, cultural, and familial ties to the district of Puna, for the naming of Fissure 8 and other newly-created features of the 2018 eruption of Kilauea volcano. OHA believes such an approach will provide valuable insight to the Board, and allow those with a deep familiarity and close connection to the named features' location(s) to help ensure the selection of meaningful, appropriate, and culturally-grounded names. Accordingly, OHA urges the Committee to PASS Resolution 640-18. Mahalo nui for the opportunity to provide this testimony. 1 As the Council may be aware, 'Olelo Hawaii was the predominant language in Hawaii up until the end of the 19th century, when it was used by Native Hawaiians and foreigners alike. However, by the late 20th century, 'Olelo Hawaii was pushed to the brink of extinction due to a number of factors; fortunately, the language was saved by several historic initiatives, such as the 1978 State constitutional amendment recognizing `Olelo Hawaii as an official language of the State.