Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SR96

Introduced
3/11/22  
Refer
3/16/22  
Report Pass
4/6/22  

Caption

Requesting The Establishment Of A Task Force To Explore The Feasibility Of Restoring Or Changing Historical Placenames On Streets.

Impact

The proposed task force will examine and identify specific street names that may warrant renaming based on a set of criteria aimed at evaluating the historical significance of individuals associated with these names. The factors for consideration include whether these individuals engaged in practices such as owning slaves, committing acts of racial violence, or interfering with democratic processes. The task force's recommendations could lead to significant changes in the names of streets, which may affect community identity and heritage.

Summary

Senate Resolution 96 seeks the establishment of a task force dedicated to exploring the feasibility of restoring or changing historical placenames on streets in Hawaii. The resolution arises from a growing national discourse about addressing historical injustices related to the names of locations that honor individuals associated with racism and other negative legacies. Hawaii, while not significantly marked by Confederate street names, has its share of streets named after historical figures who have played controversial roles in the islands' history, particularly those involved in the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and the suppression of native culture.

Contention

Debate may emerge regarding the implications of renaming streets, as balancing historical preservation and social justice remains a delicate task. The resolution acknowledges that seeking input from community members and relevant stakeholders will be essential in this process to ensure that changes reflect collective values. As noted in the resolution, the goal is not to rename every street but rather to find a considerate approach to address names that carry significant historical weight and controversy.

Additional_notes

Ultimately, the task force is tasked with producing a preliminary report outlining potential street name changes and the feasibility of such actions by a specified date, thus establishing a framework for future discussions on cultural representation within the public space.

Companion Bills

HI SCR109

Same As Requesting The Establishment Of A Task Force To Explore The Feasibility Of Restoring Or Changing Historical Placenames On Streets.

Previously Filed As

HI SR42

Requesting The Department Of Education To Convene The Erin's Law Task Force.

HI SR121

Requesting The Convening Of A Task Force To Research And Develop A Green Highway Program.

HI HCR49

Requesting The City And County Of Honolulu To Conduct A Sidewalk Feasibility Study Along Kalihi Street From Kamanaiki Street To Kalihi Valley Park.

HI HR38

Requesting The City And County Of Honolulu To Conduct A Sidewalk Feasibility Study Along Kalihi Street From Kamanaiki Street To Kalihi Valley Park.

HI SR176

Declaring That Bullying Is A Matter Of Statewide Concern; Requesting The Department Of Education To Update Its Rules And Policies To Address Bullying; And Requesting The Hawaii State Council On Developmental Disabilities To Convene A Task Force To Address The Bullying Of Disabled Children.

HI SR117

Requesting The Department Of Health To Establish A Housing Equity And Wellness Task Force.

HI SR22

Requesting The Department Of Labor And Industrial Relations To Convene An Interagency Task Force To Combat The Underground Economy And Employee Misclassification In The State's Construction Industry.

HI SR150

Requesting The Department Of Health To Convene A Twenty-first Century Data Governance Task Force To Assess Current Demographic Data Collection, Processing, Retention, And Sharing Procedures Utilized By All State Agencies.

HI SB2791

Relating To The Establishment Of A Hemp Task Force.

HI HR137

Requesting A Task Force To Be Established To Recommend Changes To The Structure And Administration Of The Commission On Water Resource Management To Improve Its Operations And Functions And Protect Its Mission.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.