The state Legislature will be hangin’ loose today as lawmakers discuss whether to make the shaka the official “state gesture” of Hawaii.
House Bill 2736 would add only a single line to the Hawaii State Statutes: “State gesture: The shaka is adopted, established, and designated as the official gesture of the state.”
But Steve Sue, director of Hawaii nonprofit ID8, said he believes the bill has great potential as an economic driver and a unifying force for the state.
“In researching the 110-year-old story of the shaka, I just realized how important the gesture is to Hawaii’s culture,” Sue said.
Sue and ID8 currently are producing a documentary about the history of the shaka, featuring interviews with cultural experts and Hawaii residents about the gesture’s origins — multiple theories exist about how the shaka began — and how its meaning has evolved over time. Sue said the overall message of the documentary is one of hope and inspiration about the spirit of aloha.
However, Sue added that it also is important to claim the shaka for Hawaii. While there ano other states have adopted an official state gesture, Sue said that some states like California or Texas — the former with its prevalent surfer culture and the latter with the gesture’s use at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi — could attempt to lay claim to the gesture.
Sue rejected some criticism of the bill, saying that some have reacted with “snarkiness” toward the seeming frivolity of the measure. He said that codifying the gesture could have “real economic benefits” for the state in terms of branding and international outreach.
“The shaka’s already been around the world,” Sue said. “This gives us license to spread aloha.”
And, Sue added, the bill can serve as a moment of levity and unity in the midst of a divisive legislative session.
“I’ve been on an email chain with … some of the lawmakers on this bill, and they were marveling that this was the first time they’ve reached across the aisle for a bill and agreed upon everything,” Sue said.
The measure has a host of co-introducers, including Hilo and Hamakua Rep. Mark Nakashima, who did not respond to a request for comment.
The House Committee on Culture, Arts and International Affairs will discuss the matter at 10 a.m. today.
A companion bill, Senate Bill 3312, has not been scheduled for any hearings.
Email Michael Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com.