STAND. COM. REP. NO. 656

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 579

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 579, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to require all state and county documents, letterheads, symbols, and items, when newly created, replaced, or reprinted to contain accurate, appropriate, and authentic Hawaiian names and language.

 

     Your Committee received one written comment on this measure.  The written comment may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Your Committee recognizes that the Hawaiian language is one of two official languages of the State.  The Hawaiian language, however, is underutilized by the State and counties in official documents and publications.  Your Committee finds that this underrepresentation has a detrimental effect on the Hawaiian culture, and over time, erodes the significance of the culture and the language.  Your Committee believes that increasing, and requiring the proposed use of Hawaiian names and language in government documents, letterhead, symbols, and items will help to preserve the Hawaiian language and culture.

 

     Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

(1)  Changing the effective date to January 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on this measure; and

 

(2)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 579, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 579, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair