A bill aimed at renaming an Oahu beach park in honor of native son President Obama has made some initial headway in the Honolulu City Council, though the measure has its detractors.
Bill 09-79, which would allow city facilities or parks to be named after living U.S. presidents born in Hawaii, received first reading approval by the City Council on Dec. 16. Current Honolulu law requires that parks and facilities only be named for individuals who are deceased.
Officially titled Aina Moana Beach Park, the location in question is commonly known as Magic Island and is a popular destination for both Honolulu residents and visitors. Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hanneman set the park's renaming process in motion earlier this month, but the idea seems to be facing a fair amount of resistance.
Todd Apo, chairman of the Honolulu City Council, said his office has received many emails and phone calls from Oahu residents voicing concern about the name change, and apparently those same worries have been mentioned frequently at neighborhood board meetings.
"I think everyone appreciates the important connection between our current president and our state," Councilman Apo told Travel Weekly. "But people have raised the point that someone like Senator [Daniel] Inouye has done a huge amount for our state over his extensive term in office, yet there's no exception for him. So where do you draw the line?"
Bill 09-79 faces a number of upcoming city council hurdles beginning in January and would itself only be part of the name-change process. Bill 09-351, which would actually change Aina Moana Beach Park to the President Barack Obama Beach Park at Magic Island, likely won't be considered until 09-79 receives final approval.
In the meantime, it seems Hanneman may be busy justifying his proposal. In a letter published by the Honolulu Advertiser Dec. 13, Hanneman explained why he felt President Obama merited such recognition.
"City law says a park may be named for a person who has achieved significant recognition on a national or international level," the mayor wrote. "Certainly, that describes our native son, President Barack Obama. His election was historic. He's been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He's announced that when the United States hosts the international APEC Summit in 2011, it will be held in Honolulu. It is fitting and appropriate that his hometown name a city park in his honor."
Born in an Oahu hospital in 1961, President Obama attended Honolulu's Noelani Grade School and graduated from Punahou High School in 1979. On an August vacation to Oahu during the 2008 campaign, the Obama family was photographed while picnicking on Magic Island.
The Obamas are schedule to spend the holidays in Hawaii, making the trip the fourth in just 18 months, according to the Honolulu Advertiser.
