STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1108

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

 

RE:   S.B. No. 848

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 848, S.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to increase access to Hawaiian language education at all levels in the State.

 

     Specifically, this measure:

 

     (1)  Expands the statutory functions of the Hawaiian Language College at the University of Hawaii at Hilo to include development of resources, tools, and procedures for Hawaiian language education and increased use of the Hawaiian language as well as collaborative research and development related to other indigenous languages;

 

     (2)  Authorizes the University of Hawaii system to establish a Hawaiian Language Pilot Project to implement Hawaiian instruction and develop new ideas, practices, and processes relative to Hawaiian language medium education;

     (3)  Requires the University of Hawaii, with the former working group created by S.R. No. 97, S.D. 1, Regular Session 2015, and community members, to develop an implementation plan to address the system-wide Hawaiian language goals in the report generated in response to S.R. No. 97, S.D. 1, Regular Session 2015; and

 

     (4)  Requires the University of Hawaii to report annually to the Legislature on the progress and status of its Hawaiian language implementation plan.

 

     The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Aha Pūnana Leo, Hoomana Pono, LLC., Ke Kula O Nāwahīokalani-ōpu, Native Hawaiian Education Council, Hale Kuamoo Hawaiian Language Center, Pūnana Leo Preschools, NuWayve Unlimited, and numerous individuals supported this measure.  The Center for Hawaiian Sovereignty Studies and two individuals testified in opposition to this measure.  The University of Hawaii, Kamehameha Schools, Division of Chamoro Studies and Special Projects of the Guam Department of Education, and several individuals provided comments.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to December 24, 2088, to encourage further discussion.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 848, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 848, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Higher Education.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

KANIELA ING, Chair