HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

198

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

supporting the preservation OF the Hawaiian language and the perpetuation of its study and use.

 

 

WHEREAS, the influx of foreigners to Hawai`i brought about the introduction of the English language and the simultaneous gradual weakening of the use, understanding, and teaching of the Hawaiian language; and

WHEREAS, in the 1870s, Hawaiians were some of the most literate people in the world when their previously exclusively oral language was translated into written form; and

WHEREAS, in 1896, English was instituted as the official language of the Territory of Hawai`i and the speaking or teaching of the Hawaiian language was prohibited in public schools, officially relegating the Hawaiian language to second-class status; and

WHEREAS, this prohibition had severe detrimental effects as it disconnected many of the indigenous people of Hawai`i from the cultural knowledge that was traditionally passed down orally throughout the generations; and

WHEREAS, in the 1970s, there was a major surge in interest in the Hawaiian language, culminating in 1978, when Hawaiian was constitutionally instituted as one of the two official languages of the State; and

WHEREAS, specifically, Article XV, section 4 of the State Constitution establishes that, "English and Hawaiian shall be the official languages of Hawai`i"; and

WHEREAS, by 1987, public schools were once again allowed to teach the Hawaiian language, and, in 1990, the federal government recognized Hawai`i's right to preserve, use, and support its indigenous language through Public Law 101-4787, known as the Native American Languages Act of 1990; and

WHEREAS, Article X, section 4 of the State Constitution requires the State to promote the study of native Hawaiian culture, history, and language; and

WHEREAS, Article XII, section 7 of the State Constitution reads, "The State reaffirms and shall protect all rights, customarily and traditionally exercised for subsistence, cultural and religious purposes" of native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, in recent years, interest in the Hawaiian language has undergone even greater growth, as immersion programs in the public schools and Hawaiian language programs at the University of Hawai`i have expanded significantly; and

WHEREAS, immersion schools are a particularly useful tool to enable the State to participate in the perpetuation and increased use of the Hawaiian language; and

WHEREAS, for the Hawaiian language to enjoy continued growth and regain its rightful status as the indigenous language of Hawai`i, there must be a stronger commitment to this critical aspect of Hawaiian culture; and

WHEREAS, an increased commitment to support the important efforts of immersion schools is one of the most significant ways the State can help to ensure the survival of the Hawaiian language; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawai`i, Regular Session of 2003, the Senate concurring, that this body hereby expresses its support for and commitment to the preservation of the Hawaiian language and the perpetuation of its study and use; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body is committed to supporting the critical efforts of the immersion schools to perpetuate the Hawaiian language; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body is strongly committed to promoting the use of the Hawaiian language in all areas of life, and not in tourist attractions and for naming objects; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body is committed to carrying out the mandate set forth in the Hawai`i State Constitution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Superintendent of Education, the Chairperson of the University of Hawai`i Board of Regents, and the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of `Aha Punana Leo.

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Hawaiian language