Report Title:

Hawaiian Language; Public Documents

Description:

Requires that all new and replaced letterheads and documents of the State and other political subdivisions include both state languages, with the Hawaiian language placed first.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1208

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

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 XIII, 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 state and county documents and letterheads, when newly created or reprinted, 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, 2004, 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, macrons, and glottal stops, 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, 2004, shall be used on all letterheads, documents, emblems, and symbols representative of 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. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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