Why Does Hawaii's State Fish Oink? How to Say Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa
By Alexander Ross
Although modern travel brochures treat the humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa as an eternal emblem of island wildlife, its political history in the state legislature was contentious. The fish lost its title for over a decade due to administrative expiration dates and local debate.
| Time Period | Official Legislative Action | Civic & Cultural Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Public school and statewide community polling | The reef triggerfish won an informal popular vote, beating out iconic contenders like the mahi-mahi and the broadbill swordfish. |
| 1985, 1990 | Hawaii State Legislature passes Act 224 | Lawmakers designated the fish as the official state symbol, but included a mandatory five-year expiration clause to reassess its standing later. |
| 1990, 2005 | Legislative inaction; symbol status lapsed | The statute expired silently. For 16 years, the State of Hawaii technically had no official marine fish symbol, despite widespread tourism merchandise claiming otherwise. |
| 2006, Present | House Bill 1982 signed into law as Act 294 | Governor Linda Lingle permanently reinstated the humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa without an expiration clause, ending decades of ambiguity. |
During the lapse between 1990 and 2006, various groups campaigned for alternatives, suggesting the majestic manta ray or the commercially valuable ahi (yellowfin tuna). The public overwhelmingly favored the humuhumu. Its quirky demeanor, brilliant color scheme, and celebrated name made it irreplaceable in the public imagination.
Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.
