HCR90

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	90
TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005
STATE OF HAWAII

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HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND TOURISM ENTITIES AND RELATED BUSINESSES TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO USE THE OFFICIAL NAME FOR THE ISLAND OF MOKOLI‘I.

 

WHEREAS, Mokoli‘i is the official name for the island situated off Oahu's northeast shore and is part of Kualoa Regional Park; and

WHEREAS, the island of Mokoli‘i, which means "giant lizard", has a rich Hawaiian tradition of a battle between a huge dragon and Hiiaka, the sister of goddess Madame Pele, which is lost when referring to the island as "Chinaman's Hat"; and

WHEREAS, the term "Chinaman" is often deemed offensive to any number of people of Chinese ancestry; and

WHEREAS, the word "Chinaman" reflects a negative stereotype of Chinese persons that was perpetuated in the United States during a time when Chinese laborers handled many of the dirtiest and most dangerous jobs involved in mining and the building of the railroads that opened the American West; and

WHEREAS, the phrase "not a Chinaman's chance" was coined during that period and reflected the unfortunate reality that, to decision makers in business and government, the lives and safety of working people generally and Chinese laborers in particular were not of great concern; and

WHEREAS, while the initial use of the name "Chinaman's Hat" may not have been seen or intended as an ethnic slur, the Legislature is cognizant of the reality that attitudes and sensibilities have changed over time; and

WHEREAS, the use of the nickname of "Chinaman's Hat" for Mokoli‘i by government agencies and tourism entities and related businesses, publicly sanctions and perpetuates its use; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature believes it is time to take this opportunity to promote consistent use of the traditional, correct, and official name of the island of Mokoli‘i; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-Third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the Senate concurring, that all government agencies and tourism entities and related businesses are requested to refrain from using the term "Chinaman's Hat" in reference to the island of Mokoli‘i; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that government agencies and tourism entities and related businesses are requested to replace all existing references to the nickname "Chinaman's Hat" with "Mokoli‘i" in any signs or publications produced or issued by them; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, who in turn is requested to transmit copies to state and county agencies and tourism entities and related businesses in the State of Hawaii.

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Mokoli‘i; Chinaman's Hat