Report Title:

Education; Hawaiian Language College; Appropriations

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii at Hilo for the Hawaiian language college for educational purposes.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

922

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE COLLEGE.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that, when the Hawaiian language college was established at the University of Hawaii at Hilo in 1997, it was the first college whose internal operations were to be conducted in a native American language.  The legislature also finds that, since 1982, when its baccalaureate program was approved by the board of regents of the University of Hawaii, the Hawaiian language college has added the State's first Hawaiian language master of arts degree, the first Hawaiian language teacher education program, the first Hawaiian laboratory school, the first Hawaiian language doctorate degree, and other baccalaureate and graduate level programs that have made the college and Hawaii a national leader in indigenous language teaching and revitalization.

     The Hawaiian language college is also the site of the primary support offices for Hawaiian language immersion and Hawaiian language education for schools throughout the State.  It produces the mamaka kaiao, a modern Hawaiian terminology dictionary, and curriculum for all twelve grades of Hawaiian immersion and education.  The college also oversees the server for the ulukau electronic Hawaiian library, the leoki Hawaiian email and internet service for the State's Hawaiian speaking students and teachers, the Hawaiian content of the bilingual imiloa astronomy education center for Hawaiian culture, and offers other services for both Hawaiian speakers and speakers of other indigenous languages of the Pacific and the world.

The legislature further finds that funding for the college and its programs and faculty has not been consistent with the achievements and activities of the college on a campus, state, national, and international level. 

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to support the goals and activities of the Hawaiian language college at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $     , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, for Hawaiian language education and immersion programs of the Hawaiian language college at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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