Hawaii Senate Bill SR185

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/23
• Refer: 3/15/23

Caption

Urging The Board Of Regents Of The University Of Hawaii To Rename Dean Hall At The University Of Hawaii At Manoa To "alice Ball Hall".

Impact

The renaming of Dean Hall to 'Alice Ball Hall' is expected to promote awareness and acknowledgment of Ball's profound impact on medical treatment, particularly her innovative injectable form of chaulmoogra oil which significantly improved the lives of thousands affected by Hansen's disease. This resolution not only serves as a tribute to Ball's work but also seeks to rectify historical oversight regarding her contributions to medicine and education at the University of Hawaii.

Summary

Senate Resolution 185 urges the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii to rename Dean Hall at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to 'Alice Ball Hall.' This resolution seeks to honor Alice Augusta Ball, a pioneering chemist who developed a significant treatment for leprosy, or Hansen's disease, during her short lifetime. As the first woman and first African American to receive a master's degree from the University of Hawaii, Ball's contributions to medicine have often gone unrecognized until recent years, highlighting the importance of her legacy.

Contention

A notable point of contention involves the historical context surrounding Alice Ball's contributions, as her work was overshadowed by Arthur L. Dean, who continued her research without giving her due credit, thereby renaming her technique to 'Dean Method.' The proposed renaming of Dean Hall aims to correct this historical injustice and is symbolic of the movement towards greater recognition of women and minorities in science and academia. The decision to rename the building could spark ongoing discussions about how institutions acknowledge historical figures and ensure equal representation in legacy building.