Report Title:

Hawaiian Language; Public Signs

Description:

Requires that all state documents and any new or replaced state sign to include the accurate, appropriate, and authentic Hawaiian language.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

794

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 preserving the accuracy of the Hawaiian language is of paramount importance toward the goal of maintaining Hawaiian as a living language. After being suppressed for decades, the Hawaiian language is enjoying a vital renewal. Since 1978, when the State reestablished 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 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 accurately preserve the Hawaiian language by requiring that all state documents and all state signs, when newly created or when replaced due to wear and tear, be printed using the accurate, appropriate, and authentic Hawaiian names and language, including proper Hawaiian punctuation, spelling, macrons, and glottal stops.

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

"[[]§1-13.5[]] Hawaiian language; spelling. (a) Macrons and glottal stops may be used in the spelling of words or terms in the Hawaiian language in documents and signs prepared by or for [state or] county agencies or officials.

(b) All state documents and signs shall include the accurate, appropriate, and authentic Hawaiian names and language, including proper Hawaiian punctuation, spelling, macrons, and glottal stops; provided that any existing document or sign not in compliance with this subsection on the effective date of this Act, shall comply when a replacement for the document or sign is required.

(c) 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 4E-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

"(c) The departments of the State shall use or cause to be used on all signs, maps, and documents prepared by or for them the names and spellings approved by the board on geographic names; provided that such names or spellings shall not be contrary to legally established names or spellings."

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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