Bill Text: HI SB3269 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To The Hawaiian Language.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2024-01-29 - Referred to EDU/HWN, WAM. [SB3269 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-SB3269-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
3269 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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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 olelo Hawaii, the Hawaiian language, is the native language of the Native Hawaiian people. While once spoken throughout Hawaii by Native Hawaiians and foreigners alike, olelo 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 olelo Hawaii at their schools.
To save the Hawaiian language, a number of historic initiatives were launched, including Aha Punana 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 olelo Hawaii were issued in the 1990s. In 1994 and 1995, gubernatorial proclamations, written in both 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 olelo Hawaii to not just survive, but to also thrive, more people need to speak Hawaiian.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require students of Hawaii's public schools to learn Hawaiian.
SECTION 2.
Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new
section to part I, subpart B, to read as follows:
"§302A- Hawaiian language instruction required. Beginning with high school diplomas awarded at the conclusion of the 2027-2028 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. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Hawaiian Language; DOE; Graduation Requirements
Description:
Requires that each Department of Education public school student earn 2 credits in Hawaiian language as a graduation requirement.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
