STAND. COM. REP. NO.  430

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   H.B. No. 874

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 874, H.D. 1, 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 require the Department of Education, in collaboration with stakeholders in the Hawaiian language community, to plan for, develop, and implement appropriate annual assessments in the Hawaiian language for Ka Papahana Kaiapuni students.

The Aha Moku Advisory Committee, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Hawaii Public Charter Schools Network, Hawaiian Affairs Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and many individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure.  The ‘Aha Pūnana Leo and an individual submitted testimony in support of the intent of 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. 874, H.D. 1, 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