Back to Hawaii News index

Posted: Wednesday, February 20th, 2013 11:51 AM HST

Hawai`i House considers adopting state microbe

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — State lawmakers may add a microbe to the state's list of official symbols. The House of Representatives considered the bill on Tuesday, and agreed to bring it up again later this session. University of Hawai`i professor Stuart Donachie says Hawai`i could be the first state in the nation to adopt an official microbe. Donachie helped discover the proposed microbe along with several other scientists and a student from Iolani High School. The microscopic organism in question is found on a Hawaiian shrub called akia. Advocates say an official state microbe will promote scientific research in the islands and celebrate the uniqueness of Hawai`i, which already has several state symbols, including a motto, a flag and a song.