I am in opposition to the renaming of the Kula sites. As we see in places around the globe, naming public places after private citizens can be problematic. I am a strong proponent of honoring the proper place names throughout Hawaiʻi nei. In my opinion, the renaming of public spaces from ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi to foreign names further inflicts harm to Kanaka Maoli communities by way of erasure. By way of supplanting the native in favor of settler-colonial narratives of manifest destiny. I humbly ask the IT Committee to disapprove the renaming of the Kula sites. Please do not partake in the perpetuation of eradicating ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi from our pae ʻāina.
Me ka ʻoiaʻiʻo,
Laʻakea Low
I am in opposition to the renaming of the Kula sites. As we see in places around the globe, naming public places after private citizens can be problematic. I am a strong proponent of honoring the proper place names throughout Hawaiʻi nei. In my opinion, the renaming of public spaces from ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi to foreign names further inflicts harm to Kanaka Maoli communities by way of erasure. By way of supplanting the native in favor of settler-colonial narratives of manifest destiny. I humbly ask the IT Committee to disapprove the renaming of the Kula sites. Please do not partake in the perpetuation of eradicating ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi from our pae ʻāina.
Me ka ʻoiaʻiʻo,
Laʻakea Low