STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1100-16
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2016
RE: S.B. No. 2162
S.D. 2
H.D. 1
Honorable Joseph M. Souki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twenty-Eighth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2016
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2162, S.D. 2, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Hawai‘inuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Hale Kuamo‘o Hawaiian Language Center, University of Hawai‘i Maui College, Institute of Hawaiian Language Research and Translation, Kamehameha Schools, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, ‘Aha Pūnana Leo, and several individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Center for Hawaiian Sovereignty Studies. An individual submitted comments.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing its effective date to January 1, 2017; and
(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purpose of clarity.
Your Committee notes the testimony given at its public hearing on this measure by Judge Richard Bissen, who serves as Chair of the Hawaiian Language Web Feasibility Task Force established pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution No. 217, H.D.1, S.D.1 (2015). Judge Bissen testified movingly about the deep meaning that the work of the Task Force has held for himself and other members. The work of the Task Force has revealed the critical role that maintaining ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i as a dynamic and living language holds in the perpetuation of Hawaii's cultural legacy into the present and future. Your Committee finds that the State must demonstrate leadership in preserving the vitality of ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i through its robust and continued use in governance, business, economy, and communications.
Your Committee thanks the members of the Task Force for their thoughtful and considered work in developing a comprehensive implementation plan that takes the first steps toward sustaining a flourishing ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i throughout the State. Your Committee agrees with the testimony submitted on behalf of the Task Force that, "To give life and validation to Hawai‘i's co-official language, . . . the use of ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i in State and local government must be broader than token phrases, more accessible in everyday life, and equally valid as the use of English." Your Committee finds that this measure will allow the State to begin to realize this goal.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2162, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2162, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs,
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____________________________ KANIELA ING, Chair |
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