Committee backs renaming Sand Island to Maule Ola and reports resolution out for adoption

The Committee on International Legal Affairs recommended that Resolution 25-63, urging the Hawaii Board on Geographic Names to rename Sand Island to Maule Ola, be reported out for adoption after receiving testimony from community paddling advocates and councilmembers who support restoring the traditional Hawaiian place name.

Rhonda Burke, advocacy chair for the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association (OCCRA), testified in strong support, saying the name Maule Ola — "breath of life" in Hawaiian — reflects values of healing and renewal and recognizes the location’s cultural history, including use by Native Hawaiians and a later World War II detention camp. OCCRA offered to assist with community engagement on the initiative.

Councilmember Cordero said the measure is a starting point and noted it would not change road names or postal addresses. She described the area’s broader role — the ports and wholesale supplies, social-service providers for people experiencing homelessness, and wastewater infrastructure — and said state-level processes will be required to complete a formal renaming. Member Tupelo asked clarifying questions about organizations involved and the geographic scope; OCCRA clarified Maule Ola refers to the entire area, not just the lagoon.

The chair recommended the resolution be reported out for adoption; the public transcript records no opposition during the hearing. Committee members said they had reached out to neighborhood boards and business organizations and had not received formal opposition at the time of the meeting.