STAND. COM. REP. NO.  250-12

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

RE:   H.B. No. 2875

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. 2875 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 through sixth grade students in the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program by requiring:

     (1)  The Department of Education to cease the administering of Hawaiian translations of reading, math, science, and other general state assessment tests for students in those grade levels;

     (2)  The Department of Education to develop parallel reading, math, science, and other assessment tests in the original Hawaiian language for students in those grade levels;

     (3)  The Board of Education to adopt rules establishing procedures for developing the assessment tests in collaboration with the Hawaiian language community; and

     (4)  The Department of Education to submit annual status reports on the development and administration of the assessment tests in the original Hawaiian language for students in those grade levels.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian Homelands Assembly, Nanakuli Hawaiian Homestead Community Association, Mokupuni O Oahu, Waianae Kai Homestead Community Association, Kewalo Hawaiian Homestead Community Association, Na Leo Kakoo Executive Board, Anuenue School, and many concerned individuals supported the measure.  Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu Laboratory Public Charter School supported the measure with amendments.  The Department of Education and two concerned individuals offered comments on the measure.

     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. 2875 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