Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs and Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 198, H.D. 1, entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to express support for the preservation of the Hawaiian language and the perpetuation of its study and use through Hawaiian language immersion schools.

Testimony supporting the intent of this measure was received from the Superintendent of Education.

Article XV, section 4 of the state Constitution recognizes English and Hawaiian as the official languages of Hawaii. Moreover, Article X, section 4 requires the State to promote the study of Hawaiian culture, history, and language. Therefore, your Committees support preservation of the Hawaiian language through Hawaiian language immersion schools. Your Committees note that the Department of Education has already developed the Hawaiian Studies and Hawaiian Language Immersion Programs, and the Board of Education also recently approved a policy establishing its support for Hawaiian studies and language programs in the public schools.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs and Education that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 198, H.D. 1, and recommend its adoption.