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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
113 |
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TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
URGING ALL HAWAII HIGH SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES.
WHEREAS, Article XV, section 4, of the Hawaii State Constitution establishes the Hawaiian language (‘olelo Hawai‘i) as one of the two official languages of the State; and
WHEREAS, ‘olelo Hawai‘i is the only language in the United States that is officially recognized at the state level; and
WHEREAS, the designation of Hawaiian as an official language of the State paved the way for the creation of Hawaiian language revitalization programs, such as ‘Aha Punana Leo and Ke Kula Kaiapuni Hawai‘i; and
WHEREAS, the success of the ‘Aha Punana Leo and Ke Kula Kaiapuni Hawai‘i programs have created a new generation of speakers of ‘olelo Hawai‘i and increased the use and visibility of ‘olelo Hawai‘i throughout the State; and
WHEREAS, ‘olelo Hawai‘i is a defining feature of the Hawaiian culture and a major part of what makes Hawai‘i unique; and
WHEREAS, knowledge of ‘olelo Hawai‘i fosters a sense of community and helps one to identify more closely with traditions and values of Hawai‘i; and
WHEREAS, access to ‘olelo Hawai‘i classes through the
public school system would allow this knowledge to reach a broader section of
the population in a cost-effective manner; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature
of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Education is urged to support any:
(1) Public high school in offering ‘olelo Hawai‘i classes; and
(2) Public elementary and middle or intermediate schools that teach ‘olelo Hawai‘i through Hawaiian culture, arts, and dance as part of the social-studies curriculum;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Department of Education is urged to allow kupuna to teach ‘olelo Hawai‘i and Hawaiian culture, arts, and dance in public schools; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all private high schools are highly encouraged to offer ‘olelo Hawai‘i classes at their respective institutions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Superintendent of Education, Chairperson of the Board of Education, and Executive Director of the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools.
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Hawaiian Language; Public Schools