Adopted 10 August 1944 on Hydrographic Services Chart #399 (now Chart #3799), "Hakai Passage to Queen Sound," as labelled on British Admiralty Chart #1923B, 1868, "Cape Caution to the Port Simpson Southern Portion," and on Hydrographic Services Chart #375 & Chart #396 (file H.1.25). Origin/significance not recorded.

Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office, File H.1.25.

"Wilson Duff thinks its quite possible that both names [referring to Nalau Passage and Hakai Passage] are of Indian (Bella Bella) origin but, among other possiblities, they could have been named by maritime fur traders, many of whom wintered in the South Pacific. Alternatively, the naming might have been associated with the fact that some Kanakas were with the Hudson's Bay Company during its fur-trading occupance of the coast." From correspondance from A.L. Farley, L.I. 16 October 1968.

Source: BC place name cards & correspondence, and/or research by BC Chief Geographer & Geographical Names Office staff.