STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3104

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2772

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2772, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE SEAL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the use of modern Hawaiian orthography, including the kahako and okina, on the state seal; provided that valid representations of the seal created before this Act shall remain valid.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Ka Leo o na Kupa, Kaunalewa, and three individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from two individuals.

Your Committee finds that as a symbol of the State, the state seal should use modern Hawaiian orthography to reflect that the Hawaiian language, or Olelo Hawaii, is an official state language. In doing so, the State would contribute to the revival of the Hawaiian language and raise awareness of the proper spelling and pronunciation of Hawaiian words. However, your Committee also finds that modern Hawaiian orthography is a relatively recent invention used to aid those learning the Hawaiian language. Furthermore, not all communities of native speakers use modern Hawaiian orthography, and the pronunciation and usage of certain Hawaiian words may vary from region to region. In recognition of this, your Committee finds that rather than changing the state seal, it is preferable for this measure to require that an explanation of how to pronounce the state motto as depicted on the state seal be provided on the official State of Hawaii website.

Therefore, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting language that would have required the use of modern Hawaiian orthography, including the kahako and okina in the spelling of Hawaii and the state motto;

(2) Inserting language requiring a translation of the state motto on the official state website;

(3) Inserting language requiring an explanation of how to pronounce the state motto as displayed on the state seal on the official state website using modern Hawaiian orthography; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2772, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2772, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO, Chair