Report Title:

Hawaiian Language Immersion Program

Description:

Makes an appropriation for bussing for the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2229

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

Making an appropriation for bussing for the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that an instructional program in which children are taught the content of the regular education program through the medium of the Hawaiian language is a vehicle for revitalizing the Hawaiian language and assisting the people of Hawaiian ancestry, or those interested in Hawaiian ancestry, to regain, learn about, and maintain the language. The State's recent support of the Hawaiian language, and the general constitutional basis for the Hawaiian language immersion program, Ka Papahana Kaiapuni Hawai'i, was initiated through the 1978 constitutional amendment and related legislation that established Hawaiian, along with English, as official languages of the State of Hawaii (Hawaii State Constitution, Article XV, section 4, and Hawaii Revised Statutes, section 1-13).

In 1987, the board of education approved the establishment of a pilot Hawaiian Language Immersion Project for kindergarten to first grade students at two elementary school sites. In 1988, the board approved extending the Hawaiian Language Immersion Pilot Project to second grade students. In 1989, the board approved the implementation of the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program as a limited K-6 program with transition to English during upper elementary grades. In 1992, the board approved extending the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program from kindergarten through twelfth grade by September, 1995, at two school sites, one on Oahu and the other on the island of Hawaii, comprised of Hawaiian Language Immersion students only. Since 1992, the program has significantly grown. For the 2001-2002 school year, the total enrollment was 1,621 students, supported by 116 teachers and locations on the islands of Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Hawaii.

The legislature finds that it is imperative that support for the Hawaiian language immersion program be sustained. The legislature further finds that support for this program relies upon bussing the students to the schools providing the program and that the lack of funds for sufficient bus transportation has hindered, or in effect denied, some students the opportunity to attend a Hawaiian language immersion program school.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii $200,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, for student transportation for the Hawaiian language immersion program, Ka Papahana Kaiapuni Hawai'i

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purpose of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2002.

INTRODUCED BY:

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