Is a Hawaiian name dumb if you're Hawaiian?
Last week I was hopeful President-elect Obama could help spread Hawaiian culture (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/2008/12/watch-barack-obama-eat-more-shave-ice.html) across the nation. This week I see a Hawaiian man can't give his son a Hawaiian name without a ton of morons calling it "stupid" or "abusive".
Lisa Bonet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Bonet) (best known from tm Cosby Show) and Jason Momoa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Momoa) ("Ronan" from Stargate Atlantis) had a baby boy whom they've named... Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa. Yeah, it's a mouthful, but more importantly, except for "Wolf", it's Hawaiian. Jason's Hawaiian so he gave his son Hawaiian names. Sounds normal to me. So why is it eliciting these comments over at the Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/08/lisa-bonets-new-baby-nako_n_156226.html)?
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There are other less offensive but still negative comments as well as praise even from some who don't understand the name. It's an unfortunate reminder that even though we're about to inaugurate President Barack Hussein Obama, there are still many who will say "that name's stupid" before they ask "Where's that name from?"
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Labels: Culture
Is a Hawaiian name dumb if you're Hawaiian?
posted by Sumocat at 1/08/2009 11:00:00 PM
5 Comments:
I think you will always see people ask those questions. My sons name is Edward. I don't think its strange but it is considered old fashioned in this day and age by many, (he's eleven) and so it has given rise to strange looks or comments. Not to the degree Nakoa though. Anonymous comments will always be harsher.
By
James A. Morman, at 1/09/2009 02:53:00 PM
This comment has been removed by the author.
By
Locksmith Mesa, at 1/10/2009 07:34:00 PM
Hello Sumocat,
The most problem we have because we think what the other people will say...
Cheers,
locksmith mesa
By
Locksmith Mesa, at 1/10/2009 07:39:00 PM
That's an awesome name and an awesome gesture he did for his son and his Hawaiian legacy. But my question is... Where have all the Hawaiians gone? or at least Where have all the Hawaiian “NAMES” gone. I am not Hawaiian, however I have lived in Hawaii for most of my life. I wish the Hawaiian people would realize the importance of perpetuating the Hawaiian "Name". It's wonderful to hear kids with Hawaiian first names but then you hear that their last name is German or anything but Hawaiian, like, Jones or Smith, etc.
It would be great if Hawaiians would consider changing their last names to their old Hawaiian family name or to create a new name to pass on to their heirs. We will always have the Smiths and Jones but the Hawaiian names will be just a memory in the past, how sad.
If I were Hawaiian, I would be proud to bear a last name that would recognize my Hawaiian heritage and that I could pass down for generations to come. It's almost ridiculous to hear Hawaiian activists, fighting for Hawaiian rights, with a last name other than Hawaiian. So sad!
By
Anonymous, at 8/28/2009 06:17:00 PM
Amazing, and I'm sure most of those people who wrote the articles preach about tolerance and acceptance, yet they can't accept a Hawaiian name? Seems like bigotry to me.
I applaud him for giving his son a name that honors his heritage. I have no Hawaiian in me, yet I have a Hawaiian MN as I was born there.
By
Valerie, at 11/18/2009 10:56:00 PM
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