A Chicago-based Hawaiian restaurant chain, Aloha Poke Co., trademarked the words “Aloha Poke.” They sent a cease and desist notice to several businesses including a small, Hawaiian-owned restaurant in Anchorage. The legal confrontation sparked complaints on social media and elsewhere about a corporation appropriating and trademarking Native words and names. With so many Native words and images used for everything from state and city names to cars, are there any legal protections? What best practices should a company think about when considering Native names?

Guests:

Tasha Kahele (Kanaka Maoli) – owner of Lei’s Poke Stop

Dr. Kalamaoka’aina Niheu (Kanaka Maoli) – organizer with Ohana Koa-Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific

Michael Padilla – New Mexico state senator

Trevor Reed (Hopi) – associate professor of law at the Sandra day O’Connor college of law

Break 1 Music: Generations (song) (artist) P. Town Boyz (album)

Break 2 Music: Prayer Loop (song) S (artist)