HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	209
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to the state board on geographic names.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the ongoing eruption of Kilauea volcano that began on May 3, 2018, created numerous new and unnamed volcanic features, including fissures, steam vents, and craters. Fissure 8 opened on May 5, 2018, and erupted lava fountains up to two hundred thirty feet high. Fissure 8 has since become the location of a broad lava cone approximately one hundred eighty feet wide, a result of concentrated eruptive activity from the twenty-three other fissures created by the 2018 volcanic event. The United States Geological Survey defines a volcanic fissure as an "elongate fracture or crack at the surface from which lava erupts," making "fissure 8" an inaccurate name for the large tephra cone that is now located in the east rift zone of Kilauea volcano. The legislature also finds that the naming of volcanic features in the Hawaiian language may encode information about its physical characteristics, historical events associated with its formation, ecological surroundings, geographical location, or related oral histories.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the state board on geographic names to consult community members with direct traditional, cultural, and familial ties to the district of Puna to establish appropriate names for the fissure 8 vent and other features of the 2018 eruption of Kilauea volcano.

SECTION 2. The state board on geographic names shall establish appropriate names for the fissure 8 vent and other features of the 2018 eruption of Kilauea volcano in consultation with community members with direct traditional, cultural, and familial ties to the district of Puna in the county of Hawaii.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

State Board on Geographic Names; 2018 Eruption of Kilauea Volcano

Description:

Requires the state board on geographic names to consult community members with direct traditional, cultural, and familial ties to the district of Puna to establish appropriate names for the fissure 8 vent and other features of the 2018 eruption of Kilauea volcano.

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