STAND. COM. REP. NO.  293-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.B. No. 1551

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1551 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish within the Department of Education an Instructional Office of Hawaiian Studies to provide instruction to public school students on Hawaiian history, culture, arts, and language and to oversee Hawaiian education programs in the public schools.

The Hawaii State Teachers Association and several concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Center for Hawaiian Sovereignty Studies supported this measure with amendments.  A concerned individual opposed this measure.  The Department of Education submitted comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1551 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair