Bill Text: HI HB1460 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Bill 1460

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating To The Hawaiian Language.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-2)

Status: (Introduced) 2025-01-27 - Referred to EDN, FIN, referral sheet 4 [HB1460 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2025-HB1460-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1460
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to the hawaiian language.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that ʻōlelo Hawaii, the Hawaiian language, is the native language of the Native Hawaiian people. While once spoken throughout Hawaii by Native Hawaiians and foreigners alike, ʻōlelo Hawaii was considered to be nearly extinct by the 1980s, when fewer than fifty fluent speakers under the age of eighteen were left. A major reason for the deterioration of the Hawaiian language was an 1896 law that required English instruction in Hawaii schools. In practice, this law functioned to "ban" students from speaking ʻōlelo Hawaii at their schools.

To save the Hawaiian language, a number of historic initiatives were launched, including ʻAha Pūnana Leo's Hawaiian language immersion preschools, the department of education's Hawaiian language immersion program, and the Hawaiian language programs of the university of Hawaii system.

In addition, in 1978, the Hawaii constitution was amended to recognize the Hawaiian language as one of the two official languages of the State.

Furthermore, several important gubernatorial proclamations on ʻōlelo Hawaii were issued in the 1990s. In 1994 and 1995, gubernatorial proclamations, written in Hawaiian and English, were issued recognizing February 1994 and February 1995 as "Hawaiian Language Month in Hawaii." The proclamations urged people to participate in the Hawaiian language activities held in February.

While the Hawaiian language revitalization movement has made major strides in the last thirty years, for ʻōlelo Hawaii to not just survive, but to also thrive, more people need to speak Hawaiian.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Require students of Hawaii's public schools to learn Hawaiian by completing course work for two credits of Hawaiian language instruction as a graduation requirement, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year; and

(2) Establish a pilot program at an elementary school located in central Oahu and Nanakuli high and intermediate school to encourage the learning and practice of the Hawaiian language.

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A- Hawaiian language instruction required. Beginning with high school diplomas awarded at the conclusion of the 2026-2027 school year, each student shall complete course work for two credits of Hawaiian language instruction as a requirement for a high school diploma."

SECTION 3. (a) The department of education shall:

(1) Design and establish a two-year Hawaiian language pilot program at an elementary school in central Oahu and at Nanakuli high and intermediate school that enables students to learn and practice the Hawaiian language;

(2) Award a certificate to each student at the selected elementary school who completes the Hawaiian language pilot program;

(3) Recognize the credits earned from the pilot program by students of Nanakuli high and intermediate school for a high school diploma;

(4) Assess and analyze the progress made by the students based on standards set forth by the department; and

(5) Make recommendations that address the requirement of two credits of Hawaiian language instruction for a high school diploma.

(b) Based on the department of education's assessment of the pilot program, the department shall determine whether to continue, expand, or end the pilot program.

(c) No later than thirty days before the convening of the regular session of 2028, the department of education shall submit to the legislature a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation.

SECTION 4. 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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the purposes of this Act.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Hawaiian Language; Department of Education; Graduation Requirements; Pilot Program; Appropriation

Description:

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, requires that each Department of Education public school student earn 2 credits in Hawaiian language as a graduation requirement. Establishes a 2‑year pilot program for Hawaiian language instruction at a central Oahu elementary school and Nanakuli High and Intermediate School. Appropriates funds.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.