HONOLULU (AP) — A legislative resolution designating Sept. 24 as "Islam Day" is generating criticism from mainland residents who say they will not travel to Hawaii because of it.
The measure, House Concurrent Resolution 100, also has divided Republicans who disagree over its legitimacy and meaning.
The author of the resolution, Rep. Lyla Berg, D-Hahaione Valley-Aina Haina, said it was meant to foster awareness of Islam. She decided to sponsor the measure following a conversation with a constituent, Hakim Ouansafi, president and chairman of the Muslim Association of Hawaii.
"In talking with Hakim, he suggested Islam Day as an opportunity for the community to learn about Islam and promote awareness," she said. "It didn't seem unusual because we have so many (religion-related) days."
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Those include the Christianity-based state holidays of Christmas and Good Friday, March 21 as Baha'i New Year's Day, April 8 as Buddha Day, and Dec. 8 as Bodhi Day, in honor of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism.
Ouansafi, who heads a hotel and resort development firm, estimated there are more than 4,000 Muslims in the state. Islam Day will allow his religion to join the list of other faiths that have already been recognized in Hawaii and will help "bridge the gap of understanding" between Muslims and non-Muslims, he added.
But the resolution provoked strong consternation after it was reported by Fox News, CNN and other media.
Lingle's office reported receiving 315 e-mails and 40 calls objecting to Islam Day. About a third were from mainland residents.
"It just received ridicule all across the country," the Republican governor said on a local radio show on May 11. "Everybody knows that the country and all 50 states are facing these historically difficult economic times. I think it's just an expression of them being out of touch."
The Hawaii Tourism Authority received a single phone call and 18 e-mails from mainland residents who said they would not visit the state because of the resolution.
Republican Sens. Fred Hemmings of Lanikai-Waimanalo and Sam Slom of Diamond Head-Hawaii Kai objected to the resolution, citing Islam's connection to international terrorism.
"It's the old cliche: Not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslim," Hemmings said.
When the resolution was considered on the Senate floor, Slom argued that the United States has become too sympathetic toward Islamic extremists.
"I don't think there's any country in the history of the world that has been more tolerant than the United States of America, and because of that tolerance, we've looked the other way a lot of times, and many thousands of our citizens have been killed by terrorists," said Slom.
But not all Republicans opposed the measure, which as a resolution has no force in law.
Rep. Kymberly Pine, R-Ewa Beach-Iroquois Point, called Slom's remarks "insensitive and wrong."
"Slom's statements marginalize significant and peaceful Hawaii citizens," she said in a statement last month. "As leaders, we must be very clear that not all Muslims are terrorists. Terrorists have very different backgrounds and beliefs than Hawaii Muslims."
Her comments set off a slew of responses on Hawaii political blogs and threatened to become an issue at the state GOP convention last month, where Pine was to officiate. She did not attend, however, because of a family emergency.
Information from: The Honolulu Advertiser, http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com
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Information from: The Honolulu Advertiser, http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com