HB2169

Report Title:

State Signs; Hawaiian Language

Description:

Requires signs in state buildings, parks, facilities, and other state public sites to be in Hawaiian and English. Requires use of okina and kahako on signs in the Hawaiian language to reflect proper use of the language.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2169
TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006
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. Section 1-13, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§1-13 Official languages. (a) English and Hawaiian are the official languages of Hawaii. Whenever there is found to exist any radical and irreconcilable difference between the English and Hawaiian version of any of the laws of the State, the English version shall be held binding. Hawaiian shall not be required for public acts and transactions[.] except as provided in subsection (b).

(b) All state signs in state buildings, parks, and other state public facilities shall be in English and the Hawaiian language; provided that, on the effective date of this Act:

(1) Existing signs not in compliance with this section shall comply when a replacement for the existing sign is required;

(2) Existing signs subject to this section that are only in the Hawaiian language shall not, upon replacement, be required to be in English in addition to the Hawaiian language; and

(3) Signage in the Hawaiian language shall include okina and kahako where appropriate to reflect the proper use of the Hawaiian language."

SECTION 2. Section 1-13.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§1-13.5[]] Hawaiian language; spelling. Macrons and glottal stops may be used in the spelling of words or terms in the Hawaiian language in documents prepared by or for state or county agencies or officials. Any rule, order, policy, or other act, official or otherwise, that prohibits or discourages the use of these symbols shall be void. All signs subject to section 1-13 shall use macrons and glottal stops to reflect the proper use of the Hawaiian language."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________