Progress made to find new name for Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument

HONOLULU, Hawaii—The Udall Foundation’s John S. McCain III National Center for Environmental Conflict Resolution (National Center) has announced the findings of its assessment detailing input gathered from a broad range of individuals and groups who are interested in renaming and the cultural recognition of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument.

The Pacific Remote Islands Coalition originally requested President Joe Biden to consider renaming the Monument. Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland then committed to the renaming process and it was reaffirmed by Biden through issuance of the Memorandum on Conserving the Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Pacific Remote Islands on March 24, 2023. The National Center’s report will advise and inform the process to rename the Monument.

The report is a culmination of a nine-month effort to gather input about the potential renaming of the region. Over 65 individuals, including from more than 25 organizations and 16 states, nations, republics, commonwealths, territories and countries shared their feedback.

“We appreciate the Biden administration’s action to engage Pacific Islanders in an inclusive process that will honor this area with a name that reflects its identity, unique history and cultural significance,” said Solomon Pili Kahoʻohalahala, native Hawaiian elder and vice chair of the Pacific Remote Islands Coalition. “Place names are an important way to preserve knowledge about geography, history, and spiritual importance and our hope is to work alongside practitioners across Oceania to move the next steps of this process forward.”

The assessment found that most participants agree that the area should be renamed, and that the renaming process should be inclusive of diverse voices and empower communities, especially Indigenous communities, with connections to the islands and ocean areas in and adjacent to the Monument. Almost all individuals who spoke with the National Center reportedly felt strongly that a collaborative and culturally appropriate process should be used to determine the name for the monument, refuges, as well as the islands and atolls and reefs within it.

The National Center’s report and process include Indigenous Pacific Islanders, language and cultural experts from across the Pacific Islands. While the report outlines recommendations made for potential names and participants indicated a preference for one inspired by the island’s history of navigation, no decision has been made yet.

“We are doing more than just renaming a monument,” said report author and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Conservation planner Dr. Narrissa Brown during the webinar about the results on May 14, 2024. “It’s about reconnecting people with their ocean and seascape of islands […] so that we can all do what we can to help save this incredible place.”

As part of the PRI Coalition’s ongoing efforts to expand protections for the Pacific Remote Islands with a sanctuary designation, the PRI Coalition continues to urge the Biden administration and its agencies to ensure Pacific Islanders are engaged in the process of identifying culturally appropriate names for this significant area.

For more information on PRI Coalition’s work to expand protections for the Pacific Remote Islands, visit https://www.protectpri.com/our-proposal/.

Follow updates from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for next steps on the renaming process or if you have contributions to share on renaming, reach out to the PRI Coalition.

About the Pacific Remote Islands Coalition

In 2014, the Pacific Remote Islands Coalition formed to protect the cultural, natural and historical legacy of these special islands, atolls and reefs. Given the area’s important ecological and cultural value, it’s urging the Biden administration to expand protections and designate the Pacific Remote Islands as a sanctuary. Its diverse network includes elders, fishers, educators, cultural practitioners, nonprofits, community groups, scientists, religious organizations, veterans as well as many others across the Pacific Islands and beyond. It’s a coalition brought together by a love for the ocean that connects and sustains us. Learn more at www.protectpri.com. (PR)