A Name Change for Hawaiʻi Island Sparks Cultural Reflection and Debate
Published December 17, 2025 at 12:14 PM HST
In a move that’s both symbolic and significant, the largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago will now officially be known simply as Hawaiʻi, dropping the prefix “Island of” from state documents. This decision, made by the Hawaiʻi Board on Geographic Names after over a year of deliberation, aligns the island’s official name with the naming conventions of its neighbors—Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, and Niʻihau. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the change is meant to honor the island’s true identity, it’s also sparked questions about tradition, authority, and how we connect with place.
Honoring Ancestral Roots and Pacific Connections
Marques Hanalei Marzan, cultural advisor at the Bishop Museum and a member of the volunteer board, championed the change. He emphasizes that Hawaiʻi isn’t just a name—it’s a link to a broader Polynesian heritage. Variations of the name, like Savaiʻi in Samoa and Havai'i in French Polynesia, echo across the Pacific, reflecting centuries of migration and shared ancestry. “Our Polynesian ancestors carried these names with them as they voyaged across the ocean,” Marzan explains. “Hawaiʻi is one of those names that has traveled through time and space, connecting us to our roots.”
A Narrow Change with Broad Implications?
When the proposal was first introduced in March 2024, public reaction was mixed. During board meetings, community members questioned the board’s authority and wondered how the change would be implemented. Marzan clarifies that the shift applies only to official state documents, leaving the public free to use whichever name feels right. “This isn’t about dictating how people speak,” he says. “It’s about restoring the island’s true name in formal contexts.”
The Power of Names: Tradition vs. Distinction
The former title, “Island of Hawaiʻi,” was likely adopted to differentiate the island from the State of Hawaiʻi. But for many, this distinction feels unnecessary. Bobby Camara, a lifelong resident and advocate for traditional place names, points out that context usually makes it clear whether someone is referring to the island or the state. “If I say I’m from Hawaiʻi, it’s the state. If I say I’m on Hawaiʻi, it’s the island,” he explains. Others, like researcher Kuʻulei Kanahele, prefer names like Moku o Keawe, which honors the lineage of Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku, a revered aliʻi known for maintaining peace during his reign. “Using this name keeps his legacy alive,” Kanahele says.
A Name for Every Context
Geographer Drew Kapp, who teaches at Hawaiʻi Community College, favors a more descriptive name: Hawaiʻi Kuauli, or “the island of the verdant back.” Derived from ʻōlelo noʻeau, this name paints a vivid picture of the island’s lush landscapes. “It’s a beautiful and fitting image,” Kapp says. Meanwhile, his colleague Ākeamakamae Kiyuna encourages her Hawaiian Studies students to explore names like Moku o Keawe and Hawaiʻi Kuauli, depending on the context. “Just as we have different names for different situations, the island’s names reflect its multifaceted identity,” she explains. One name she discourages? Big Island. “It lacks the cultural depth and linguistic richness of the island’s other names,” she says.
And this is the part most people miss: The name change isn’t just bureaucratic—it’s a reminder of the power of language to shape our connection to place. Does simplifying the name to Hawaiʻi strengthen its cultural significance, or does it risk erasing the nuances of its identity? And what does it mean for other places with contested or evolving names? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you think this change honors tradition, or does it go too far? Share your perspective in the comments below!
