STAND. COM. REP. 3306

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: S.R. No. 27

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Science, Arts, and Technology and Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations, to which was referred S.R. No. 27 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE RENAMING OF THE "CONCEPT CAR" DODGE KAHUNA,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the executives at DaimlerChrysler and Dodge to rename the Dodge Kahuna, refrain from using the word "kahuna" in the name of its vehicles, and conduct research prior to using any Hawaiian word to name any of its products.

Testimony in support of the measure was received from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and one individual who attached to his testimony a statement that there are signatures of 4,809 individuals that feel the use of the word "kahuna" is offensive as part of the name of a vehicle.

Your Committees find that this measure is intended to make the executives at DaimlerChrysler and Dodge aware that the use of the word "kahuna" to name its new concept car is not only offensive, but demonstrates a lack of sensitivity to Native Hawaiian culture. The term "kahuna" means priest, minister, or expert practitioner and connotes a wise elder in the Hawaiian language and thus is inappropriate to describe a concept vehicle that is designed to epitomize waves, surfing, and fast cars.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Science, Arts, and Technology and Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 27 and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Science, Arts, and Technology and Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations,

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CAL KAWAMOTO, Chair

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DAVID Y. IGE, Chair