Requires signs designating places and sites in state buildings, parks, facilities, and other state public sites to be in Hawaiian and English. Requires use of okina and kahako on signs in the Hawaiian language to reflect proper use of the language. Requires all documents prepared by the State to include the required glottal stops and macrons, subject to some exceptions. (HB2169 HD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Hawaiian language was established by law as the native language of Hawai'i more than twenty-five years ago. Despite this law, numerous publications, signs, and other items produced by the State of Hawai'i are not produced in the Hawaiian language, and our own state name continues to be incorrectly spelled by omitting the glottal stop required in the word Hawai'i.

The purpose of this Act is to require that state signs indicating sites and place names, and other publications use both the Hawaiian and English languages, and that the glottal stop in the word Hawai'i be used properly in state signs indicating sites and places and other publications.

SECTION 2. Section 1-13, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§1-13 Official languages. (a) English and Hawaiian are the official languages of Hawaii. Whenever there is found to exist any radical and irreconcilable difference between the English and Hawaiian version of any of the laws of the State, the English version shall be held binding. Hawaiian shall not be required for public acts and transactions[.] except as provided in subsection (b).

(b) All state signs in state buildings, parks, and other state public facilities designating place names and site names shall be in English and the Hawaiian language; provided that on the effective date of this Act:

This section shall not apply to official traffic-control devices as defined in section 291C-1."

SECTION 3. Section 1-13.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§1-13.5[]] Hawaiian language; spelling. (a) [Macrons and glottal stops] Glottal stops and macrons may be used in the spelling of words or terms in the Hawaiian language in documents prepared by or for state or county agencies or officials[.]; provided that the word Hawai'i shall be properly spelled to include the required glottal stop in any publication, signage designating places and sites, or other item produced by the State after the effective date of this section. This requirement shall not apply to:

(b) Any rule, order, policy, or other act, official or otherwise, that prohibits or discourages the use of [these symbols] glottal stops and macrons shall be void.

(c) All signs subject to section 1-13 shall use glottal stops and macrons to reflect the proper use of the Hawaiian language."

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.