Working group decries ‘Okina baking business as ‘cultural appropriation’

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Kailua-based baking mix company called ‘Okina has trademarked the Hawaiian letter ‘okina, and now, a new Native Hawaiian working group says it’s cultural appropriation and it must stop.

The baking mix company based in Kailua is ‘Okina, and its name now has a U.S. trademark.

The okina is a glottal stop, one of two Hawaiian diacritical marks, and the 13th letter in the Hawaiian alphabet.

The company website, OkinaKitchen.com, says, “‘okina represents a break between two syllables. As our name, ‘Okina represents a break from the rush of life — a pause that renews both people and the planet.”

“Culturally appropriating traditions or language and then trademarking that so that we cannot use our own language is inappropriate, and that needs to stop,” said Vicky Holt Takamine, Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group chair.

On Monday, lawmakers and community leaders held the first meeting of the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group, which was introduced by State Rep. Darius Kila in House Concurrent Resolution 108 and then adopted by the legislature. The group’s aim is to stop the appropriation of Native Hawaiian culture, language, music, and ideas.

“Just because a federal law dictates a practice in a certain way doesn’t mean we have to stand for it here,” said State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee chair.

In 2018, the issue of Native Hawaiian intellectual property rights sparked a protest when a Chicago eatery trademarked its name, Aloha Poke, and sent cease-and-desist letters to Hawaii companies with similar names.

A Native Hawaiian restaurant owner in Alaska spent thousands changing her eatery’s name, fearing she’d get sued.

“These are examples that are contemporary and fresh and have actual harm to parts of our community,” said Makalika Naholowa’a, Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, executive director.

“There’s going to be pushback because there are those who would like to make money and monetize the cultural resources that don’t belong to them,” said State Rep. David Tarnas, Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee chair.

Aloha Poke still has its trademark. Hawaii News Now contacted Okina but has not heard back.

The Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group expects to have its first report in 40 working days before the 2025 legislative session.

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