Hawaii Senate Bill SR96

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/11/22
• Refer: 3/16/22
• Report Pass: 4/6/22
• Passed: 4/7/22

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.