The next time you start to complain about your long, hard-to-pronounce last name, remember that things could always be worse. Your name could be Keihanaikukauakahihuliheekahaunaele, which doesn't even fit on a driver's license.
The AP has the scoop on the battle between the State of Hawaii and Janice "Lokelani" Keihanaikukauakahihuliheekahaunaele, who is trying to ensure that her government-issued ID will have her full name on it. She's so close, too — her last name has 36 characters, but the IDs only have room for 35. When she got her ID issued, it came with part of her name chopped off and no first name listed.
No first names? Maybe that explains what happened to McLovin.
Keihanaikukauakahihuliheekahaunaele's name came from her late husband, whose grandfather bestowed it on him after it came to him in a dream, the story says. She says it means "When there is chaos and confusion, you are one that will stand up and get people to focus in one direction and come out of the chaos." I mean, that's long enough that it makes sense.
Keihanaikukauakahihuliheekahaunaele said she brought the issue of her erroneous ID to the attention of state officials after it caused problems for her during a traffic stop.
"I said, how disrespectful to the Hawaiian people because there's a lot of meaning behind this name. I've had this name for over 20 years. I had to grow into this name. It's very deep spiritual path," she said.
Officials in Hawaii say they're working on fixing the problem, and by the end of the year cards will allow 40 characters for first and last names and 35 characters for middle names.
Photo credit AP