STAND. COM. REP. NO.1344

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: H.B. No. 159

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 159, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to assist the College of Hawaiian Language of the University of Hawaii at Hilo in its continued growth and development.

Specifically, the bill repeals the prohibition against the appropriation of general funds for the continuation of the College of Hawaiian language.

Established in 1997, UH-Hilo's new College of Hawaiian Language, Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikolani, was named in honor of Ruth Ke‘elikolani Keanolani Kanahoahoa, the 19th century high chiefess known for her strong advocacy of Hawaiian language and culture. The Master of Arts degree in Hawaiian Language and Literature is UH-Hilo's first graduate program and the first focusing on a Native American language in the United States.

Your Committee finds that the prohibition against appropriating general funds to the College of Hawaiian Language has hindered its growth. The value of the College and its special relevance not only to students, but the entire State, has been demonstrated. Your Committee finds that this bill will assist the College to continue serving its undergraduate and graduate students, the Hawaiian community locally and abroad, and other native people, impacting positively on all residents of Hawaii.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 159, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair