STAND. COM. REP. NO. 688

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1430

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1430, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish an Institute of Indigenous Education, Science, and Outreach within the University of Hawaii at Hilo through a collaboration between the University of Hawaii at Hilo Imiloa Astronomy Center and University of Hawaii at Hilo Hawaiian language college.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Ke Kula ‘O Nāwahīokalani‘ōpu‘u, Kupuna for the Mo‘opuna, ‘Aha Pūnana Leo, Ke Kula ‘O Nāwahīokalani‘ōpu‘u Iki, Pūnana Leo o Moloka‘i, Pūnana Leo o Waimea, Pūnana Leo o Kaua‘i, Pūnana Leo o Wai‘anae, Pūnana Leo o Ko‘olau Poko, Pūnana Leo o Kona, Pūnana Leo o Maui, Pūnana Leo o Waialua, Pūnana Leo o Mānoa, Pūnana Leo o Hāna, Pūnana Leo o Nu‘uanu, Pūnana Leo o Hilo, Pūnana Leo o Lahaina, Ka La‘i a ‘Ehu, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that Hawaiian language proficiency requires many more hours of study than is currently provided through standard Hawaiian language study outside of the University of Hawaii at Hilo Hawaiian language college. Your Committee further finds that establishing an institute would better serve the unique needs of indigenous and marginalized groups and allow for year-round scheduling to increase opportunities to develop Hawaiian language proficiency. This measure will assist in developing more Hawaiian language medium education teachers and in the proper development of a Hawaiian language medium early education pathway.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1430, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair