HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Nine members from the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group held their first meeting at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol to protect the intellectual property rights of kānaka maoli.
The group was formed after the adoption of HCR108 in 2023, with goals "to draft and propose substantive legislation and policies" for this upcoming legislation session.
Monday's meeting started with a vote on leadership roles before discussing examples of cultural appropriation of indigenous intellectual property that has taken place over the last ten years.
"The establishment of the working group stems from a profound concern over the blatant exploitation and dilution of native Hawaiian culture, language and artifacts for profit across the globe," explained Representative Darius K. Kila (D) Honokai Hale, Nānākuli, Mā‘ili.
In one instance, Chicago-based food chain Aloha Poke Co. called upon Hawaii poke shops to prevent them from using the words "Aloha" and "Poke".
On Oahu, Kailua-based baking mix company, ʻOkina, trademarked "the name of a Hawaiian diacritical mark".
"This is the first time native Hawaiians are being invited to give our manaʻo and participate in the conversation about governance, coming up with ways to improve our law so we can better protect the intangible assets like native Hawaiian intellectual property," said Makalika Naholowaa, NHIPWG Vice Chair.
"You can't trademark aloha. It's not for sale," expressed NHIPWG Chair Vickey Holt Takamine.
The group looks forward to meeting twice monthly to hammer down policies and ideas for the 2025 legislative session.