WHEREAS, a mandate from the 1978 Constitutional Convention created the Department of Education's Hawaiian Studies program, which is now implemented in all public elementary school grades K-6 to help students develop an understanding and appreciation of Hawaiian culture, history, language, values, and practices; and

WHEREAS, the program includes a component of kupuna, who are elders or "grandparents" in a generational line with makua, "parents," and keiki, "children," and who have expertise in Hawaiian cultural heritage and assist classroom teachers in Hawaiian studies instruction; and

WHEREAS, in response to budget cuts, kupuna and makua established the organization, Ka Lei Papahi o Kakuhihewa, which is dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the Hawaiian Studies program, and to ensuring that the program remains a permanent part of the Department of Education curriculum; and

WHEREAS, kupuna and makua spend a great deal of time preparing lesson plans without the benefit of compensation or reimbursement for classroom supplies purchased with personal funds; and

WHEREAS, many schools have stopped implementing the Hawaiian Studies program for all K-6 grade levels, and the program curriculum has become outdated and requires renewed support from the Department of Education to maintain its viability; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that a fiscal audit of the Hawaiian Studies program would advance public knowledge of its budget and spending, thereby increasing its transparency and accountability; and

WHEREAS, the use of "A" and "B" funds has not been consistently implemented throughout the Hawaiian Studies program, and there is evidence that some schools may be paying kupuna and makua instructors at the education assistant rate, rather than the part-time teacher rate, which could be as much as fifty percent less than what they are rightfully entitled to; and

WHEREAS, Hawaiian Studies program kupuna play an essential role in the perpetuation of native Hawaiian language and culture; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, that the Auditor is requested to conduct a fiscal audit of the Department of Education's Hawaiian Studies program, specifically with regard to its kupuna component, to clarify the numerous inconsistencies in its budget and spending; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the audit shall include a review of all moneys appropriated and expended for the program, including "A" funds for salary and "B" funds for all other expenditures; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to cooperate with and assist the Auditor in the performance of this audit; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to conduct a program audit of the Hawaiian Studies program to identify any areas of concern regarding its delivery or implementation with specific regard to any inconsistencies in kupuna assignment, and teaching schedules, and pay rates; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor and the Department of Education are requested to submit findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature regarding their respective audits no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2007; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Chairperson of the Board of Education, the Superintendent of Education, and the Auditor.

Report Title:

Hawaiian Studies Program