SCR52.DOC

WHEREAS, in a first-ever address to the 2010 Legislature on the State of the University of Hawai‘i, President M.R.C. Greenwood stated that the University is "committed to supporting the access and success of Native Hawaiians. We are making headway and we are fortunate to have partners along this path"; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Regents of the University of Hawai‘i System, through its policies, states that as the only provider of public higher education in Hawai‘i, the University embraces its unique responsibilities to the indigenous people of Hawai‘i and to Hawai‘i's indigenous language and culture; and to fulfill this responsibility, the University ensures active support for the participation of Native Hawaiians at the University and supports vigorous programs of study and support for the Hawaiian language, history, and culture; and

WHEREAS, the University of Hawai‘i, through the President, working with the Chancellors, ensures that the unique commitment to Native Hawaiians is fulfilled; and

WHEREAS, in part, this commitment includes providing positive systemwide executive support in the development, implementation, and improvement of programs and services for Native Hawaiians; providing for and promoting the use of the Hawaiian language within the University of Hawai‘i System; providing a level of support for the study of Hawaiian language, culture, and history within the University of Hawai‘i System that honors, perpetuates, and strengthens those disciplines; and

WHEREAS, the Puko‘a Council of the University of Hawai‘i was chartered in June 2009, to provide a formal, independent voice and organization through which the Native Hawaiian faculty, administrators, and students of the University of Hawai‘i System can participate in the development and interpretation of systemwide policy and practice as it relates to Native Hawaiian programs, activities, initiatives, and issues; and

WHEREAS, the Puko‘a Council is comprised of representatives from each of the councils of each campus in the University system: Hanakahi Council, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo; Ho‘olulu Council, Hawai‘i Community College; Kahikoluamea Council, Kapi‘olani Community College; Ke Kumupali Council, Windward Community College; Kuali‘i Council, University of Hawaii at Manoa; Kupu Ka Wai Council, Honolulu Community College; Lau‘ulu Council, Maui Community College; Makaloa Council, Kaua‘i Community College; Puko‘a no Na ‘Ewa, Leeward Community College; and Nalimakui Council, University of Hawai‘i - West O‘ahu; and

WHEREAS, Hawai‘i is the only state in the United States that has designated a native language, and a 2000 United States Census report noted that the Hawaiian language is the only native language in the nation that has grown in terms of fluent speakers; and

WHEREAS, this is due in great part to the University of Hawai‘i System, which provides numerous programs and both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Hawaiian language studies; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the House of Representatives concurring, that the President of the University of Hawai‘i System is requested to convene an academic symposium to consider the establishment of a Hawaiian Language University within the University of Hawai‘i System; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in planning for the symposium, the President consult with the Puko‘a Council and representatives from the Hawaiian language studies programs on all campuses; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the symposium be held at a time and place to ensure maximum participation by faculty, students, and others from the University of Hawai‘i System; private and public educational organizations and other entities committed to the advancement of the Hawaiian language; and interested members of the community; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the symposium consider at minimum, the following issues related to establishment of a Hawaiian Language University within the University of Hawai‘i System: the mission; governance and administration; curriculum and degrees; facilities and technology requirements; financial and other resources available or to be obtained; a timetable for implementation, and any other issues, as appropriate; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the President of the University of Hawai‘i System report to the Legislature and the Governor no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2012 on the findings of the symposium and the recommendations related to establishment of a Hawaiian Language University within the University of Hawai‘i System; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the University of Hawai‘i System, and the Board of Regents of the University of Hawai‘i.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Hawaiian Language University; University of Hawai‘i System

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	52
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII