For the record, allow me to state that I am a Democrat, a former Hawaii County Council member (districts 7 and 6) for eight years, and a resident of Hawaii County for 27 years, and I understand legislative procedural processes. I am NOT opposed to having Hawaiian names for most of our civic buildings, parks, and places, etc. I understand why some Hawaiians, if not most, dislike the name and actions of “Captain Cook.”
The excellent article written by Laura Ruminski (WHT, 1-15-23) paints a sad story of political ego but no representation “of, for, or by the People” (residents and taxpayers). However, I am really disgusted that a non-transparent, egocentric, unilateral, capricious, and arbitrary decision was made by a council member — no matter their education, background, or beliefs — without meetings with the local Hawaiian kupuna(s), the local residents, and the taxpayers of Hawaii County for the following reasons:
1. Council member Inaba renamed the “Captain Cook” Fire Station which is located in Council District (“CD”) 6 to “Kealakekua.” He does not live in or represent CD 6 but instead represents CD 8 — two districts north of “Captain Cook.”
2. No one person should have the right to arbitrarily make name changes that affect the community without the community’s and then the council’s input. It is egregious that any elected official — council member or mayor — would be arrogant enough to think that his preferences should clandestinely override any other person’s input or vote. We are supposed to be living in a democracy not an autocracy.
3. There are many beautiful Hawaiian names that might be used for this fire station that might be favored but we, the People, had no input. Our local kupuna might even suggest some other names had they been involved.
4. Mr. Inaba renamed “our,” not “his,” fire station “Kealakekua” despite the fact that there is an entire village north of the historic Ka‘awaloa Village (“Captain Cook”) that is named — fortunately or unfortunately — Kealakekua. There will certainly be confusion over this fire station’s name and location.
5. Let me state for the record that the fire chief is not guilty of anything wrong. He is not expected to understand the legislative process which is outside of his department. I believe that he was played by Mr. Inaba. However, council members should know better and so should mayor Roth who is an attorney by training.
6. The long-term repercussions of Mr. Inaba’s personal decision have not been discussed with the public — Hawaiian or not — but the new name “Kealakekua” for the “Captain Cook” Fire Station has occurred, and its renamed sign has already been posted on the station. Taxpayer’s dollars were used to make the sign and pay for the cost of the installation work. Tax dollars must also be spent to change the name on the fire engines, other vehicles, and possibly equipment as well. Even if the money comes from the “contingency funds” of any council member, the public is always entitled to know at a council meeting, in advance, and have input on how its money is spent.
7. Unfortunately, I now understand that Mayor Roth does not believe in representative government even where taxpayer dollars are involved since he thinks this situation is “manini,” and that as the mayor, he has the right to authorize such a unilateral decision just because he is the mayor.
8. I suspect that there are other changes in the works because this excellent article indicates that Rep. Jeanne Kapela had already tried to change the name of the “Captain Cook” village to the historic “Ka‘awaloa” Village but that failed at the state Legislature. I believe that changing the village name may have federal implications that need to be considered before such a change is made.
9. The name of the “Captain Cook” Police Substation may be on the block and possibly the U.S. Post Office in “Captain Cook.” By the way, the U.S. Post Office in Kealakekua is named the Kealakekua Post Office. Will we have in the future two post offices, fire stations, and police stations named “Kealakekua”? Will the village of Kealakekua be renamed? Consider that all business documents, letters, envelopes, etc. may need to be reprinted by our government, businesses and the public? How will that be handled and financed?
10. Solution 1: There should be a section in the Hawaii County Code (HCC) initiated by a bill that sets out the process, limitations, and recommendations for naming or renaming civic lands, buildings, parks, etc. and in some order of preference for names. Until that legislation is in the HCC, no one should have the right to arbitrarily and capriciously make such changes by their own prerogative and clandestinely circumvent the People. All buildings, parks, scenic locations, and civic lands, etc. should be named in an appropriate section of the HCC, and additional language added stating in each of those sections that if anything was accidentally left out of the HCC, it is automatically included in the HCC requirements. All changes, initial and subsequent, should be by a bill not a resolution. All original names or name changes should follow that process. Additionally, the HCC should state who should be included in preliminary discussions: kupuna, local residents, businesses, local people, and taxpayers, and the representative council member (who should chair all preliminary meetings), and etc.
11. Solution 2: Stop this renaming until the HCC is properly amended and a legal process established and followed.
12. Solution 3: Perhaps Mr. Inaba’s time would be better spent writing appropriate legislation than in making arbitrary and capricious decisions.
It is distressing to see that some persons we elect in the hope that they will serve ALL of the people develop an egotistical and shameless sense of entitlement to the point that they feel that they have more rights than the rest of us. Thank you, Laura Ruminski, for notifying the public of this issue.
Brenda Ford is a resident of Captain Cook and a former Hawaii County Council member.