Janice Lokelani Hawaiian woman with 35 letter last name Country: USA

1. Biography of Janice Lokelani
2. A Licensing Issue
3. A Meaningful Name
4. A Resolution

Biography of Janice Lokelani

Janice Lokelani, a resident of Hawaii, is known for her incredibly long surname consisting of 35 letters - Keihanaikukauakahihuliheekahaunaele. However, many people simply refer to her as Janice Lokelani. When her name made headlines, television hosts faced serious challenges as pronouncing her name on-air proved to be extremely difficult.

A Licensing Issue

In order to obtain a driver's license, Janice had to use her full name and surname. This posed a problem for the Hawaiian resident as her surname was too long to fit on the plastic card. As a result, the authorities decided to shorten her surname by one letter. The allowed limit for a surname on a driver's license was 34 characters, while Janice's surname consisted of 35 characters. Janice was outraged and argued that the abbreviation of her surname was an insult to both herself and the memory of her late husband. She demanded that her surname be written correctly.

A Meaningful Name

Janice's long surname has a significant meaning, as it tells the story of her family, which is understood by the elderly Hawaiians when they hear it. However, the abbreviated version of her surname loses its meaning. Despite having a more convenient and shorter maiden name, Janice proudly refuses to use it, choosing instead to use her late husband's long and impressive surname.

A Resolution

Initially, the authorities were hesitant, but Janice stood her ground, leading to a review of the maximum length for a driver's license surname. Eventually, Janice was issued a new license with her name written correctly and in full. She no longer needs to carry two documents to prove her identity without any errors.

In conclusion, holders of even the longest surnames no longer need to worry, as driver's licenses can accommodate surnames up to 40 characters. The authorities hope that one day they will not encounter a proud individual with an even longer surname.