STAND. COM. REP. NO.  7-12

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

RE:   H.B. No. 1986

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1986 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE IMMERSION PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to further the education of third and fourth grade students in the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program by requiring the Department of Education to:

     (1)  Eliminate Hawaiian translations used on reading, math, science, and other assessment tests for students in those grade levels; and

     (2)  Develop parallel reading, math, science, and other assessment tests in the original Hawaiian language for students in those grade levels.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Aha Kauleo Kaiapuni Hawaii: Hawaiian Language Immersion Advisory Council, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Na Leo Kakoo Executive Board, Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki Laboratory Public Charter School, Kuakini Hawaiian Civic Club of Kona, Hawaii Bilingual/Hawaii Olelo Palua, Ke Kula Kaiapuni Hawaii O Kahuku Academy, and numerous individuals supported this measure.  The Department of Education offered comments.

     Your Committee notes that while the Department of Education provided written testimony on the measure, there were concerns raised by your Committee and testifiers regarding the absence of a Department of Education representative to answer questions at the hearing.  Your Committee urges the Department of Education to send a representative for upcoming hearings on the measure.  In addition, your Committee finds that extending assessment tests in the Hawaiian language to fifth and sixth grade students merits further discussion.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1986 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Education.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

FAYE HANOHANO, Chair