Makes appropriation for Hawaiian language immersion program. (SD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Hawaiian language immersion program has grown from two sites in 1986 to nineteen sites in 2006 with a student population of approximately fifteen hundred students from kindergarten to grade twelve on five islands. In 1999, the first class of students educated entirely in the Hawaiian language graduated from high school. Interest in the Hawaiian language immersion program continues to grow and there is a need for more instructional materials in Hawaiian. Puohala elementary school, Hauula elementary school, and Kahuku high and intermediate school are the only schools on windward Oahu that currently have Hawaiian language immersion programs. The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to support Hawaiian language immersion programs.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $85,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the translation of educational materials from English to Hawaiian to support the Hawaiian language immersion programs.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.