Story Archive

Easy for You to Say

The state of Hawaii has changed its driver’s licenses to allow surnames to have up to 40 letters, first names up to 40, and middle names up to 35 — specifically to accommodate Janice Lynn Keihanaikukauakahihuliheekahaunaele, 54. To fit her last name in previously, the state had dropped her first name from her license, but she said that gave her trouble when traveling, and when she was pulled over by the police, the officer asked her, “Well, where is your first name?” Keihanaikukauakahihuliheekahaunaele responded, “Don’t blame me. This is your department.” The state tried to get her to use her maiden name on her license, but she objected to that, since it would dishonor the memory of her dead husband, who only went by the one name. She recently received her new license, with her full name. (RC/KHON Honolulu) ...Which is great for now, but if she remarries she wants to hyphenate.
Original Publication Date: 12 January 2014
This story is in True’s book collections, in Volume 20.

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