THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

81

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

  
   

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND FINANCE TO CONVENE A HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE TASK FORCE.

 

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the State of Hawai`i provides for the preservation and promotion of native Hawaiian culture, history, and language; and

WHEREAS, Article X, Section 4, of the Constitution of the State of Hawai`i, provides that "The State shall promote the study of Hawaiian culture, history, and language"; and

WHEREAS, Article XIII, Section 7, of the Constitution of the State of Hawai`i, provides that "The State reaffirms and shall protect all rights, customarily and traditionally exercised for subsistence, cultural and religious purposes" of native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, Article XV, Section 4, of the Constitution of the State of Hawai`i, affirms that "English and Hawaiian shall be the official languages of Hawai`i"; and

WHEREAS, maintaining a living language is an integral component of preserving a culture; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature has made an effort to preserve and promote native Hawaiian language by incorporating the language into official state writings, emblems, and signs; and

WHEREAS, in furtherance of this, the Legislature should ensure that all state and county documents and letterheads, whenever newly created or reprinted, contain the accurate, appropriate, and authentic Hawaiian names and language printed above the English translation; and

WHEREAS, by ensuring the use of proper Hawaiian kahakō (macrons) and `okina (glottal stops), as well as by ensuring that the public inscriptions are accurate, the Legislature will indicate its respect for the native language of these islands and further the intent of the state constitution; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawai`i, Regular Session of 2006, that the Department of Budget and Finance is requested to convene a Hawaiian language task force to:

(1) Conduct a feasibility study to examine the scope and cost of implementing a plan to ensure that all state and county documents and letterheads, whenever newly created or reprinted, contain the accurate, appropriate, and authentic Hawaiian names and language printed above the English translation;

(2) Develop a plan to ensure that all state and county documents and letterheads, whenever newly created or reprinted, contain the accurate, appropriate, and authentic Hawaiian names and language printed above the English translation;

(3) Identify an official Hawaiian language authority or authorities that can be considered the official reference and that can be used by state and county agencies for the purpose of ensuring that all state and county documents and letterheads, whenever newly created or reprinted, contain the accurate, appropriate, and authentic Hawaiian names and language printed above the English translation; and

(4) Identify the resources necessary to effectuate this purpose, such as information technology software, and the cost of the software;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaiian language task force be comprised of members that represent the diversity of the Hawaiian language as it is spoken throughout the State and include:

(1) A representative from the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa Hawaiian Language Department;

(2) A representative from the University of Hawai`i at Hilo College of Hawaiian Language;

(3) A member chosen by the Department of Accounting and General Services with the appropriate information technology background;

(4) A representative from the Hawaii Board on Geographic Names with the Office of Planning under the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism as the authority for Hawaiian place names;

(5) A representative from Hale Kuamo`o;

(6) A representative from `Ahahui `Ōlelo Hawai`i;

(7) A representative from the Department of Accounting and General Services;

(8) A representative from the Department of Budget and Finance;

(9) A representative from the Hawai`i State Association of Counties;

(10) A representative from the Bishop Museum; and

(11) Two manaleo, native Hawaiian speakers;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaiian language task force is requested to report its findings, including any recommended legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2007 Regular Session; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Finance, the Comptroller, the President of the University of Hawai`i, the President of the Hawai`i State Association of Counties, the Director of the Bishop Museum, the Director of Hale Kuamo`o, and the Director of `Ahahui `Ōlelo Hawai`i.

Report Title:

Native Hawaiian Language