STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3381

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2046

H.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2046, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ʻŌLELO HAWAIʻI COMMISSION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Commission to coordinate and promote initiatives that support the use of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi; and

(2) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, Department of ʻŌiwi Resources of the County of Maui, Association of Hawaii Civic Clubs, Kuini Piʻolani Hawaiian Civic Club, Prince Kūhiō Hawaiian Civic Club, Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi, Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo, and fifteen individuals.

Your Committee finds that Ōlelo Hawaiʻi is foundational to the culture and identity of Native Hawaiians and plays an important role in the everyday lives of many of the State's residents. It is essential for the State to support these residents by reducing language barriers in the provision of public services and preventing unequal treatment resulting from language inaccessibility. While the State has made important progress revitalizing Ōlelo Hawaiʻi and addressing some of these issues, further action is necessary. Accordingly, this measure establishes an Ōlelo Hawaiʻi Commission to ensure expanded support for Ōlelo Hawaiʻi in the State.

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. 2046, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

HERBERT M. RICHARDS, III, Chair