Report Title:

Hawaiian Language; Public Documents

Description:

Requires that all government letterheads and, whenever possible, government documents contain both Hawaiian, English, and proper Hawaiian-language grammar; all government computers and software be able to process new Hawaiian language requirements; that notice be given to all government computer vendors; and an advisory board be formed to provide guidance to the government on Hawaiian language.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2813

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to hawaiian language.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the state constitution provides for the preservation and promotion of native Hawaiian culture, history, and language. For example, article X, section 4, Hawaii State Constitution, states, "The State shall promote the study of Hawaiian culture, history and language." Article XII, section 7, Hawaii State Constitution, provides, "The State reaffirms and shall protect all rights, customarily and traditionally exercised for subsistence, cultural and religious purposes" of native Hawaiians. Because maintaining a living language is an integral component of preserving a culture, it is also important to note that article XV, section 4, Hawaii State Constitution, reestablishes that "English and Hawaiian shall be the official languages of Hawaii."

Since 1978, when the State reaffirmed Hawaiian as one of its official languages, the legislature has backed efforts to incorporate the language into official state writings, emblems, and signs. Assuring that these public inscriptions are mandatory, accurate, spelled correctly, and use the proper Hawaiian macrons and glottal stops not only shows the deserved respect for the native language of these islands, but also fully comports with the intent and words of the state constitution.

The purpose of this Act is to ensure the constitutionally and ethically mandated preservation of the native Hawaiian language and culture by requiring that all newly created or reprinted state and county letterheads and, whenever possible, documents contain the accurate, appropriate, and authentic Hawaiian names and language printed above the English translations.

SECTION 2. Section 1-13.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§1-13.5[]] Hawaiian language; spelling. [Macrons and glottal stops may be used in the spelling of words or terms in the Hawaiian language in] Effective January 1, 2005, all documents and letterheads prepared by or for state or county agencies or officials[.] shall include the accurate, appropriate, and authentic Hawaiian names and language, including proper Hawaiian punctuation, spelling, and use of the macron and glottal stop as dictated by modern orthography, printed above the English translation; provided that this requirement shall not apply to a document or letterhead existing on the effective date of this Act until a replacement for the document or letterhead is required. Any rule, order, policy, or other act, official or otherwise, that prohibits or discourages the use of these symbols shall be void."

SECTION 3. Section 5-6.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§5-6.5[]] State language. The Hawaiian language is the native language of Hawaii. [and may] Effective January 1, 2005, the Hawaiian language, in addition to English, shall be used on all letterheads, emblems, and symbols representative of the State, its departments, agencies and political subdivisions[.] and, whenever possible, shall be used on any documents that are prepared for or by the State, its departments, agencies, and political subdivisions; provided that this requirement shall not apply to a document or letterhead existing on the effective date of this Act until a replacement for the document or letterhead is required."

SECTION 4. Effective January 1, 2006, all new computers, computer operating systems, other software, and upgrades purchased for or by any State and county agency or official shall be capable of generating, printing, displaying, storing, and searching for Hawaiian names and words that use the macron and glottal stop without the purchasing or installing of additional software. Any rule, order, policy, or other act, official or otherwise, that prohibits or discourages the upgrading of computers, computer operating systems, or software to meet the requirements shall be void.

SECTION 5. Notice of this requirement shall be sent to all vendors currently supplying hardware, software, and support services to state and county agencies on or before January 1, 2005.

SECTION 6. An advisory board shall be formed and coordinated by the Hale Kuamo'o Hawaiian language center at Ka Haka 'Ula O Ke'elikolani college of Hawaiian language, University of Hawai'i at Hilo, to provide guidance to state and county agencies and vendors, and to provide guidelines and policies regarding the proper use of the macron and glottal stop. The board may include Hawaiian language faculty from other university campuses, as well as Hawaiian speakers from private and public agencies, kupuna (elders), and the general public.

SECTION 7. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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