HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

113

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING ALL HAWAII HIGH SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES.

 

 


     WHEREAS, Article XV, section 4, of the Hawaii State Constitution establishes the Hawaiian language (olelo Hawaii) as one of the two official languages of the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, olelo Hawaii is the only language in the United States that is officially recognized at the state level; and

 

     WHEREAS, the designation of Hawaiian as an official language of the State paved the way for the creation of Hawaiian language revitalization programs, such as Aha Punana Leo and Ke Kula Kaiapuni Hawaii; and

 

     WHEREAS, the success of the Aha Punana Leo and Ke Kula Kaiapuni Hawaii programs have created a new generation of speakers of olelo Hawaii and increased the use and visibility of olelo Hawaii throughout the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, olelo Hawaii is a defining feature of the Hawaiian culture and a major part of what makes Hawaii unique; and

 

     WHEREAS, knowledge of olelo Hawaii fosters a sense of community and helps one to identify more closely with traditions and values of Hawaii; and

 

     WHEREAS, access to olelo Hawaii classes through the public school system would allow this knowledge to reach a broader section of the population in a cost-effective manner; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Education is urged to support any:

 

     (1)  Public high school in offering olelo Hawaii classes; and

 

     (2)  Public elementary and middle or intermediate schools that teach olelo Hawaii through Hawaiian culture, arts, and dance as part of the social-studies curriculum;

 

and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Department of Education is urged to allow kupuna to teach olelo Hawaii and Hawaiian culture, arts, and dance in public schools; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all private high schools are highly encouraged to offer olelo Hawaii classes at their respective institutions; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Superintendent of Education, Chairperson of the Board of Education, and Executive Director of the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools.

 

 

 

 

 

Report Title: 

Hawaiian Language; Public Schools