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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0388.000 1998-2000 -r, ~ -~D '99 JUL 23 Pfd 3 'fl CCU , - ~_~~~h cour~Ti~ o~ iii~W,all Languaee Stolen or Surrendered? Attached is a copy of a Letter To The Editor recently submitted to several island newspapers, addressing the loss of our Hawaii island name. We are asking that you resolve to discontinue non-commerical use of the crude term "big island" and utilize your official powers to reestablish the proud name of our magnificent and sacred island of Hawaii. Through the power and scope of your leadership position, you could carry our appeal to the state legislature, media, business community, ad agencies, civic groups, educators, language teachers, etc. We feel no pride in media references to "big island county officials" and surely you would prefer the the cultural distinction and political correctness of being members of the "Hawaii County Council" Our lack of vigilance has contributed to the widespread use and acceptance of the distasteful term "big island" in place of our proper name...with dedication and resolve, it is within our power to set it right. Aloha, ~J ?~G`/!1/~ S Carolyn S. Thomas P©Box 433 Volcano Village, HI 96785 C~~/~ c~l~ C~ cz~~fi~c . /I E7`'~ Comm. No._~+~ File No.,,~ Ref. Tos Q~ Ref. Date JUL 2 81999 07/19/99 Letters to the Editor The Honolulu Advertiser Hawaii Ne'i A fourth generation kama'aina of European descent, I was born in 1959, nine days after Hawaii became the 50th state. I am proud that my great grandfather, Christian Gertz is credited with building the grand staircase of I'olani Palace (to this day, the largest single construct made entirely of koa). Mom & Dad spent their youthful years on Oahu and recount unimaginable stories of surfing, camping, open beaches, forest trails, small communities and the abundant aloha they enjoyed. But changes came fast to Oahu and they decided to raise their four young children in the open spaces of Kamuela, Hawai'i...thanks again, folks. During holidays we would return to Oahu to visit with family and friends. When other kids would ask me where I was from, I would reply "Hawai'i" and they would invariably say "you mean the Big Island" (Hmm, I guess...it's big alright) To accomodate our tourist industry, our islands were long ago Tabled with knicknames ie Garden Isle, Gathering Place, Friendly Isle, Target Isle, Valley Isle, Orchid Isle. Then along came issues of sovereignty, political correctness and language. It bothers me that the audio/video/print media have responded correctly with the proper names for Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Kaho'olawe, Maui or Maui County, but persist in using the crude term `big island' for our beautiful home. It is wrongly believed this is necessary to distinguish Hawaii the island from Hawaii the state. However, in the past, the difference was easily conveyed by using the terms Hawaii island, Hawaii county, or island of Hawaii. When I grew up, my family properly used our Hawaii island name with pride and we continue to do so today...do you? Ask any classroom of young local kids: what is the other name for the `big island" and you will find how entrenched this so called island "name" has become. Aue noho'i e! Tltis is Pele's land of fire and ice, rainforest and surf...it is more than just a "big" island (as Kaho'olawe was always more than just a "target" island). Hawaii has soul, I am Hawaiian and I care. Kimo Thomas (PO Box 383666 Waikoloa, HI 96738) Hawaii Hawaii Ne'i "I hope We can have The head of the manilatlu CU°ll''a~> planning to build a Hilo irradiator said this deal Wrapped Up ~ he was surprised Big Island voters by the end of the _ ~ defeated the irradiation-ban initiative \ year." by just 473 votes in the Nov. 3 elec- Y tion. rnt~ ._II.. T~.n n1MWYI that the y~~ - Bab Lindsey e~ , Bishop Estaf~ er~a~w Big Island directo>I~ Ce5 wa . P'Cp~'~ _ ~ ~~J ~ Big Island creatures-with the ~ _ , yohele~"eNtBtrt it's an ~caI~Q~IIU~~ef1. f~"~'tofigureeuttheirevolu- rh,~ ~pq(l rn R _ ~ ~ ~1Cfl~Ef3" _".jn ~E L.E~glsgLL~up mua uc~era~yc n7zy Tribune -Herald discovered the shifring of allegiance to the Republi- can Party in many precinczs in each county, especially ,v4 the Big Island. Souki's downfall from power perhaps is the first mnvr by the llon.n.~.-.«~ _ _ _n _ _ _ BIIBT a pride .of Big Island ~e~o~ti honal Thanksgiving feasts, Big a V . . State senators c fr®~ Big Isle. la~s~ C~e~ ~r,. . leadership roles Q° ~ ~ ' By ,Jwn Aratstrony ~ a: : , ership positions each of its three state sen~ Hawaii Island Un'Red W Exch atoia will hold in next year's Legislature, the _ _ ay ange Club members volunteering as a commun - lawmakers said Saturday. ~