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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2562 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to hawaiian language immersion.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that kupuna in the Nānākuli Ahupuaa have been making efforts to re-establish their children and grandchildren's cultural identity through the Hawaiian language since the 1960s. However, despite the growth of Hawaiian language immersion schools in other areas of the State, the creation of a Hawaiian studies curriculum within the department of education, and the establishment of a Hawaiian studies program at the University of Hawaii, the Nānākuli community continues to lack a Hawaiian language immersion school from kindergarten to grade twelve.
The legislature further finds that the Nānākuli Ahupuaa has been home to the highest concentration of native Hawaiians in the world for over fifty years. Furthermore, children from the Waianae coast constitute a significant portion of the student population at Hawaiian language immersion schools in other areas of the State. Pūnana Leo O Waianae serves students in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, while Kula Kaiapuni o Nanakuli serves students from kindergarten through grade six. However, Kula Kaiapuni o Nānākuli has experienced a decline in enrollment, because parents are seeking for their children the continuity of an immersion school that serves students from kindergarten through grade twelve. As a result, a large number of students have transferred to Hawaiian language immersion schools in other school districts, including Ke Kula Kaiapuni O Ānuenue in the Honolulu district. A high percentage of students who reside in the leeward school district are being transported via school bus to schools in other areas, which raises costs for both their parents and the department of education.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of education to establish a task force to locate potential, viable properties along the Waianae coast, with a preference for a location in Nānākuli, on which to establish a Hawaiian language immersion school to educate students from kindergarten through grade twelve.
SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the department of education a task force to locate potential, viable properties along the Waianae coast, with a preference for a location in Nānākuli, on which to establish a Hawaiian language immersion school to educate students from kindergarten through grade twelve.
(b) The task force shall consist of the following members:
(1) The superintendent of education, or the superintendent's designee;
(2) The executive director of the state public charter school commission, or the executive director's designee;
(3) The chairperson of the Hawaiian homes commission, or the chairperson's designee;
(4) The chairperson of the board of land and natural resources, or the chairperson's designee;
(5) The chairperson of the board of trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, or the chairperson's designee;
(6) The mayor of the city and county of Honolulu, or the mayor's designee; and
(7) Members representing the community and stakeholders.
(c) The superintendent, or the superintendent's designee, shall serve as the chairperson of the task force. The task force shall cease to exist on June 30, 2016.
(d) The members of the task force shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties. No member shall be made subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of that member's participation as a member of that task force.
(e) The task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature at least thirty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2016.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Hawaiian Language Immersion School; Task Force
Description:
Establishes a task force within the Department of Education to locate potential, viable properties along the Waianae coast, with a preference for a location in Nanakuli, on which to establish a Hawaiian language immersion school to educate students from kindergarten through grade twelve.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.