"Island of Hawaii was the official name for many years, but was inconsistent with the rest of the islands within the state. The name change to Hawaii is an affirmation of the proper name for the island, removing the descriptive words previously used to distinguish it in legal documents,"
"I prefer 'Island of Hawaii' to continue to be used as the official name. It will help clear up the ambiguity between the names of our state and my island,"
"To designate it from the State of Hawaii, most people say 'Hawaii Island' or 'Big Island,' and I think it is ridiculous to consider a name change."
The Hawaii Board on Geographic Names approved changing the official name of the state's largest island from 'Island of Hawaii' to 'Hawaii' in December. The change standardizes the island's name to align with other islands such as Oahu, Maui and Kauai. State agencies must update documents and maps immediately, including the Hawaii Tourism Authority. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names is expected to consider adopting the change at the federal level. The state board reviews historical Hawaiian records and consults cultural advisers to ensure uniform spellings. Public response was mixed, with some residents concerned that the change could increase confusion between the island and the state.
Read at SFGATE
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