Hawaii board votes to change official name of Hawaii Island

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Hill

12/13/25 8:08 PM ET


HONOLULU (KHON2) — A simple name change, with statewide and national impact. At its Dec. 10 meeting, the Hawaii Board on Geographic Names voted to change the official name of the “Island of Hawaii” to simply “Hawaii,” bringing it in line with every other island in the state. The decision follows over a year of discussion — and public concern.

When the proposal was first put forward, many people didn’t even know the board existed. The change was made to be consistent with other islands and also be more culturally respectful. “I think we all know Hawaii is the state and also the name of an island, and there’s no distinction between the two, and we want to honor the history of the island itself and give it its proper name,” Marques Marzan, HBGN chair, said back in April.

Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda raised no objections to the name change. “I know it always has, historically, as kind of named after Hawaii Loa the Navigator. So, Hawaii makes sense. It could be confusing, because the state of Hawaii. But hey, I’ll take it. I mean, Hawaii, that sounds good to me,” said the Mayor.

The change would standardize “Hawaii” across federal and state maps, documents and signage.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/5647899-hawaii-name-change-decision/

[hlthe2b]

1. Let the confused, be confused. Hopefully, it will motivate them to read & learn about all of Hawaii's islands & history

On a sad comparison, perhaps the shooting on Bondi Beach, New South Wales, Australia, will likewise have people pulling out a map and looking at the vast country, its major cities, and perhaps to even learn its capital (Canberra).

We, as Americans, are overwhelmingly ignorant of our own states, cities, and people, but even more so of the rest of the world.

[Callie1979]

2. I was concerned it may be "Trump Island".

These days you never know

[rampartd]

5. isn't there is a volcano where virgins were sacrificed?

"trump island" might be appropriate.

[Vinca]

3. I don't care what they call it, I wish I was there. I ordered a present for someone - Kona coffee from the

Big Island - and the smell took me back to lots of good memories as I looked out the window at snow falling on the ground.

[generalbetrayus]

8. Every second or third one-pound bag of coffee beans I buy is from the Big Island of Hawaii.

Very expensive, but so very good.

[Bengus81]

4. Eh...I'll still call it the Big Island

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

10. Wait'll Trump annexes Greenland. Now, THERE's a Big Island

[Sun-Moon]

6. My grandmother and grandfather lived on the Big Island

So that name is what I use too- but i also call Hawaii Paradise and my Happy place.
Probably a good thing I wasn’t on the board determining the name.

[twodogsbarking]

7. Hawaii, Hawaii. New York, New York. I get it it .

[Doc_Technical]

9. An island so nice,

they named it twice.

[Cha]

11. News to me.. Mahalo, BRDS!

💙 Hawaii

[BumRushDaShow]

12. Was waiting for the Hawai'i DUers to check in

[Cha]

13. Glad I saw it.. Good to know!

We also call it The Big Island for an obvious reason.

TY!

[BumRushDaShow]

14. I think they wanted to make the "official" name (for government records, etc)

its actual name versus "Island of Hawai'i", which is apparently its current "official name" (to distinguish it from the state of Hawai'i".

I guess if you live on any of the other islands like you do, you probably don't care that much.

[Xipe Totec]

15. We no longer have "The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations", so meh. nt