STAND. COM. REP. NO.266

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: H.B. No. 1544

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Higher Education and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1544 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE COLLEGE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to repeal the prohibition of appropriating general funds to fund the continuation of the Hawaiian Language College (college) at the University of Hawaii at Hilo if initial funds are deemed inadequate or become unavailable.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Aha Punana Leo.

Your Committees find that promoting the study of the Hawaiian language is a matter of statewide concern since it is an official language of the State and its promotion is required by the State's constitution. The college has been constrained in its development by being prohibited from receiving general funds. Allowing the college to receive general funds will help it continue to grow and serve as a focal point for the revitalization of the Hawaiian language.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1544 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs,

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ERIC G. HAMAKAWA, Chair

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ROY TAKUMI, Chair