Hawaii 2

Last updated • 4 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Hawaii 2
USA Maine location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Hawaii 2
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Hawaii 2
Geography
Location St. George Lake
Liberty, Maine, US
Coordinates 44°23′51″N69°20′12″W / 44.397418°N 69.336586°W / 44.397418; -69.336586 [1]
Area6 acres (2.4 ha)
Administration
United States

Hawaii 2 (previously Birch Island) is a six-acre (2.4 ha) private island in St. George Lake, Liberty, Maine, United States. Previously used as de facto public land, in 2014 the island was purchased by Cards Against Humanity LLC as part of a fundraiser for the Sunlight Foundation. After licensing the island for use by those who contributed to the campaign, the town of Liberty threatened the games company with hundreds of millions in fines for code violations.

Contents

Pre-2014

Prior to Cards Against Humanity's 2014 purchase, the Bedke/Fox Family Trust owned Birch Island and allowed it to be used by the public. Since the early 1980s, locals had used the location to picnic, swim, camp, and vacation. [2]

2014 purchase

In 2012, Cards Against Humanity LLC fundraised $70,000(equivalent to $92,900 in 2023) [3] [4] for the Wikimedia Foundation. In the company's announcement of this, they joked that the company could have bought a private island instead (Little Monkey Caye in the Monkey River, Belize). For their 2014 fundraiser, the company brainstormed what gifts could be sent via first-class mail, weigh less than two ounces (57 g), measure within 11.5 by 6 inches (290 mm × 150 mm), and be "really flexible". Remembering their 2012 joke, Cards Against Humanity liaised with the CBRE Group to buy a private island. [3]

Inspired to conserve some small piece of wilderness, raise money for charity, and "make people laugh", Cards Against Humanity bought Birch Island from the Bedke/Fox Family Trust on October 31, 2014, [1] for $190,000(equivalent to $244,538 in 2023). [5] [4] The island, located near Liberty, Maine, [3] in St. George Lake (within sight of Maine State Route 3), [2] was renamed Hawaii 2 because "it's the Maine island". [1] Though Google Maps updated the name upon seeing the deed, Cards Against Humanity forwent filing with the United States Board on Geographic Names because of the time involved and "[a]pparently, geographic name changes must benefit the community, by honoring a local hero or something." [3]

Controversy

In 2014, Cards Against Humanity organized a fundraiser called "Ten Days or Whatever of Kwanzaa", wherein participants contributed $15(equivalent to $19.31 in 2023) [6] [4] to receive ten "mystery gifts"; $1 of each donation was given to the Sunlight Foundation. [6] The tenth gift, sent to approximately 250,000 people, were certificates entitling the bearer to one square foot (0.093 m2) of Hawaii 2: "You may name your square foot of land. You may use the entire private island for passive, non-commercial, non-motorized recreational activities [...] You may tell people at parties that you own part of a private island." [1]

The island's official website clarifies that certificate-holders do not actually own any of Hawaii 2 (Hawaii 2, LLC being the sole owner), but that they "have rights to use it as a license holder". [7] In February 2015, Cards Against Humanity explained that although they initially wanted to deed one-square-foot parcels to their contributors, too many factors stood in the way of this (e.g. their mailing budget, rights of way, legal liability for the landowners, the nearby town of Liberty being owed taxes on 250,000 parcels, 6,000 pounds (2,700 kg) of paperwork needed, and the rights of landowners to develop their plot against the conservationist wishes of Cards Against Humanity). [3]

According to Liberty's code enforcement office, the town considers the certificate licenses to have been sold and that "the island 'continues to be advertised and marketed'". Liberty official Donald Harriman told the Bangor Daily News that some license-holders had trespassed in order to reach Hawaii 2, though he did not know whether the Waldo County sheriff's office was involved. In spring 2015, the code-enforcement office wrote to Cards Against Humanity "and gave them until April 15 to cease all commercial activity on the island, revoke the 250,000 'licenses' that grant the exclusive use of 1 square foot of land and remove the shed and platform from its present location". Harriman claimed that, failing this, Cards Against Humanity could face fines of $625 million per day [5] (equivalent to about $803M in 2023). [4] Harriman also accused Cards Against Humanity of "unpermitted commercial use [...] on Birch Island[ sic ], in violation of the Liberty Shoreland Ordinance, [...] The entire scheme appears to be a development and/or divisions of land for profit with the possibility of intense use at various times." Cards Against Humanity had not responded to the town by April 10, though two months before Liberty's letter, Cards Against Humanity had posted on tumblr saying that not only had they purchased Hawaii 2 for conservation, but the company also "joined the local Liberty Lake Association, and we'll work with them to deal with any issues as they come up". [5]

By April 2015, Cards Against Humanity's empty safe—previously containing "sloth cards" and a bottle of Scotch whisky for visitors—had been removed from Hawaii 2, and the company had updated its rules for the island to include allowable hours and prohibitions against leaving or removing anything. By that August, the Bangor Daily News reported that, despite locals' fears, Waldo County, Liberty, and Hawaii 2 had not been overrun, and "[t]he island remained peaceful and free of litter". Liberty Selectman Steve Chapin told the newspaper that Liberty lawyers were still working with Cards Against Humanity "to work out between ourselves some land use agreement that's acceptable to them and us". [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monhegan, Maine</span> Plantation in Maine, United States

Monhegan is an island in the Gulf of Maine. A plantation, a minor civil division in the state of Maine falling between unincorporated area and a town, it is located approximately 12 nautical miles (22 km) off the mainland and is part of Lincoln County, Maine, United States. The population was 64 at the 2020 census. The plantation comprises its namesake island and the neighboring island of Manana. The island is accessible by scheduled boat service from Boothbay Harbor, New Harbor and Port Clyde. Visitors' cars are not allowed on the island. It was designated a United States National Natural Landmark for its coastal and island flora in 1966.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bangor, Maine</span> City in Maine, United States

Bangor is a city in and the county seat of Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The city proper has a population of 31,753, making it the state's third-most populous city, behind Portland (68,408) and Lewiston (37,121). Bangor is known as the "Queen City."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brewer, Maine</span> City in Maine, United States

Brewer is a city in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. It is part of the Bangor metropolitan area. The city is named after its first settler, Colonel John Brewer. The population was 9,672 at the 2020 census.

Orrington is a town on the Penobscot River estuary in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 3,812 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Baldacci</span> American politician (born 1955)

John Elias Baldacci is an American politician who served as the 73rd Governor of Maine from 2003 to 2011. A Democrat, he also served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elisha H. Allen</span> American judge

Elisha Hunt Allen was an American congressman, lawyer and diplomat, and judge and diplomat for the Kingdom of Hawaii.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fort Gorges</span> United States historic place

Fort Gorges is a former United States military fort built on Hog Island Ledge in Casco Bay, Maine, United States. Built from 1858 to 1864, no battles were fought there and no troops were stationed there. Advancing military technology, including iron clad ships and long range guns, rendered the fort obsolete before it could be used. The fort is now a park, accessible only by boat. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Maine Woods</span> Northern geographic area of the state of Maine

The North Maine Woods is the northern geographic area of the state of Maine in the United States. The thinly populated region is overseen by a combination of private individual and private industrial owners and state government agencies, and is divided into 155 unincorporated townships within the NMW management area. There are no towns or paved roads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KHKA</span> Radio station in Honolulu, Hawaii

KHKA is a commercial radio station in Honolulu, Hawaii, branded as CBS 1500. The station is owned by Blow Up, LLC and it broadcasts a sports radio format, mostly from Infinity Sports Network. It also carries some news programs from KHON-TV and CBS Radio News. KHKA is an official radio partner of the University of Hawaiʻi Rainbow Warriors sports and carries local high school sports, as well as San Francisco 49ers football games and San Francisco Giants baseball games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lilly Broadcasting</span> American broadcasting company

Lilly Broadcasting, LLC is a privately owned American broadcasting company owned and operated by the Lilly Brothers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory</span> Bridge in Prospect – Verona Island, Maine

The Penobscot Narrows Bridge is a 2,120-foot-long (650 m) cable-stayed bridge that carries US 1/SR 3 over the Penobscot River. It connects Verona Island to Prospect, in the U.S. state of Maine. It opened in December 2006, replacing the Waldo–Hancock Bridge, built in 1931.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul LePage</span> Governor of Maine from 2011 to 2019

Paul Richard LePage is American businessman and politician who served as the 74th governor of Maine from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the mayor of Waterville, Maine, from 2004 to 2011 and as a city councilor for Waterville from 1998 to 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 United States Senate election in Maine</span>

The 2012 United States Senate election in Maine was held on November 6, 2012, alongside a presidential election, other elections to the United States Senate in other states, as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Despite initially declaring her candidacy and being considered the favorite, popular incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe unexpectedly decided to retire instead of running for reelection to a fourth term.

<i>Cards Against Humanity</i> Party game

Cards Against Humanity is an adult party game in which players complete fill-in-the-blank statements, using words or phrases typically deemed offensive, risqué, or politically incorrect, printed on playing cards. It has been compared to the card game Apples to Apples (1999).

The alcohol laws of Maine regulate the sale and possession of alcohol in the state of Maine in the United States. Maine is an alcoholic beverage control state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Maine Question 1</span>

Maine Question 1 (MQ1), "An Act To Prohibit the Use of Dogs, Bait or Traps When Hunting Bears Except under Certain Circumstances", was a citizen-initiated referendum measure in Maine, which was voted on in the general election of November 4, 2014. As the Maine Legislature declined to act on the proposed statute, it was automatically placed on the ballot. The proposal was defeated by 320,873 "No" votes to 279,617 "Yes".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hodgdon Yachts</span>

Hodgdon Yachts is a builder of yachts and specialized military vessels, based in East Boothbay, Maine. It is a family-run business that was founded in 1816—the oldest continuously operating family boatbuilder in the United States, antedating the Burger Boat Company in Wisconsin. Hodgdon Yachts is noted for building superyachts, both sail and power, using advanced composite materials and construction techniques. It's also noted for its ability to incorporate those advanced materials into traditional designs that employ modern electronic and mechanical marine systems. The company has several divisions—yachts, custom tenders, yacht interiors, yacht services and military composites with offices in Boothbay, Maine, Newport, Rhode Island and Monaco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Maine Question 1</span> Referendum on allowing casinos in York County

Maine Question 1, formally An Act To Allow Slot Machines or a Casino in York County, was a citizen-initiated referendum question that appeared on the November 7, 2017, statewide ballot in Maine. It sought to award a license for the construction and operation of a casino in York County, Maine by a qualified entity as spelled out in the proposed law, with tax revenue generated by the casino to go to specific programs. The wording of the proposed law effectively permitted only one company, Capital 7, to be awarded the license. The ballot measure was defeated, with 83% of voters opposing it.

The COVID-19 pandemic was publicly reported to have reached the U.S. state of Maine on March 12, 2020. As of February 2, 2021, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services reported 131,530 confirmed cases and 46,971 probable cases in the state, with 1,777 deaths attributed to the virus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary Nyburg</span> American potter and teacher

Mary Nyburg was an American potter known for creating functional pottery and her involvement in the American Craft scene.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Anderson, J. Craig (December 24, 2014). "Cards Against Humanity buys remote Maine island, calls it 'Hawaii 2'". Portland Press Herald . OCLC   9341113. Archived from the original on November 28, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2019. A holiday fundraising campaign grants each participant the 'exclusive' license to 1 square foot of the island.
  2. 1 2 3 Curtis, Abigail (September 4, 2015). "Welcome to paradise: Liberty gets used to Hawaii 2" . Bangor Daily News . Liberty, Maine. ISSN   0892-8738. Archived from the original on November 29, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Bane, Jenn (February 4, 2015). "Cards Against Humanity's Private Island". Cards Against Humanity LLC. Archived from the original on December 10, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 4 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–" . Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 Curtis, Abigail (April 10, 2015). "Cards Against Humanity's breakup of Maine island stirs controversy" . Bangor Daily News . Liberty, Maine. ISSN   0892-8738. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  6. 1 2 "Cards Against Humanity Buys 6-Acre Maine Island". Augusta, Maine: Associated Press. December 24, 2014. Archived from the original on April 29, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Welcome to Hawaii 2". Cards Against Humanity LLC. Archived from the original on January 5, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.