He inoa no nā mokupuni

First Lady Reveals Hawaiian Name For National Monument

Northwestern Islands Named Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument

HONOLULU -- First lady Laura Bush on Friday announced the new Hawaiian name for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument at a ceremony at Washington Place.

The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands begins just north of Kauai and stretches to Kure Atoll at the far end of the island chain.

The new Hawaiian name of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument had been the focus of many meetings with Hawaiian elders and fulfills a commitment by President George W. Bush in June when he designated the islands as monument. That made it the single largest conservation area in U.S. history and the largest protected marine area in the world.

So with all ears listening Bush said the name with a slight Texan twang.

"I'm delighted to announce that the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands will be named the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument," Bush said.

With 17 letters, Papahanaumokuakea symbolizes the genealogy of the Hawaiian Islands. Kumu Hula Pua Kanahele helped come up with the name.

"It is that that is responsible for all the births of all living things," Kanahele said.Mrs. Bush had just visited Midway Atoll in the monument, where she looked at native birds and planted native grass. She also learned how ocean debris is threatening the native wildlife.

Now, the federal government is working toward more debris removal, opening Midway to eco-tourism this summer, and getting the monument designated as an international World Heritage site to further its protection.

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