Posted at 5:19 p.m., Monday, April 17, 2006
Humuhumu set to recapture throne as Hawaii's state fish
Associated Press
The humuhumunukunukuapuaa officially lost its title as the state fish more than a decade ago, but is set to reclaim the honor.A bill reinstating the humuhumu passed the Legislature today and heads next to the office of Gov. Linda Lingle for a signature.
The little fish with the long name was deposed in 1990 by a clause in the law that gave it its crown, which made the measure expire after five years.
But few in the state were aware of the change and the fish, also known as the rectangular triggerfish or "humuhumu" for short, and it has continued to be touted as Hawai'i's state fish.
The measure is credited by its introducer, Rep. Blake Oshiro, to the 6-year-old son of a friend and constituent, Joel Itomura. It was Itomura who brought the lack of an official designation for the humuhumu to the attention of Oshiro, D-Aiea-Halawa.
Lingle now has 10 days to potentially veto bill.
In a letter last year to Chuck Johnston asking that she give the fish back its position through executive order, Lingle said the question should be left to the public to decide. She also noted that the fish was not historically held in high regard by Hawaiians.
