Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 159 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to authorize the Hawaiian Language College (College) of the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH-Hilo) to contract directly with providers when conducting business in the Hawaiian language, rather than having to conduct such business through the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii (RCUH).

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Aha Punana Leo, and concerned individuals supported this bill. UH-Hilo opposed this bill.

Your Committee finds that allowing the College to contract directly with providers that can conduct business in the Hawaiian language facilitates the College's goal of promoting the Hawaiian language. Although a young entity, the College has drawn national and international attention. The College must have the freedom to strengthen and promote Hawaiian language use throughout the State.

Your Committee has amended this bill by removing specific reference to Aha Punana Leo, Inc., as a service provider.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 159, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 159, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.