Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2007 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to properly promote the study of the Hawaiian language by appropriating funds for the Hawaiian language college (College) at the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH-Hilo).

Aha Punana Leo, Ke Kula `o Samuel M. Kamakau Laboratory Public Charter School, and Ka Haku Ula O Keelikolani College of Hawaiian Language at UH-Hilo submitted testimony in support of this measure. UH-Hilo submitted testimony stating that it is unable to support this bill due to current budget restrictions.

Your Committee finds that promoting the study of the Hawaiian language is a matter of statewide concern since it is one of the two official languages of the State and its promotion is required by the State Constitution. The College has been constrained in its development by the disparity in its funding when compared to the funding of languages other than Hawaiian. Allowing the College to receive full funding will help it continue to grow and serve as a focal point for the revitalization of the Hawaiian language.

Your Committee has not made any specific recommendation on the level of funding, deferring to the Committee on Finance to provide the appropriate level of funding.

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. 2007 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.