STAND. COM. REP. NO. 889

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1128

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1128, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUPPORT FOR TRADITIONAL NATIVE SPEAKERS OF HAWAIIAN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Provide that, in any island with a population of five hundred or less, the Hawaiian language shall be recognized as the sole indigenous language of the Hawaiian islands; public schools may offer a course in the Hawaiian language; and every effort shall be made to accommodate Hawaiian speakers; and

(2) Require and appropriate funds for the State Public Charter School Commission to study the Hawaiian language, publish resource materials for native speakers of the Hawaiian language, consult stakeholders, and submit a report to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of Economic Development of the County of Kauai. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education, Department of Accounting and General Services, State Public Charter School Commission, Kaunalewa, Ka Leo o na Kupa, and thirteen individuals.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1128, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair