HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	618
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to education.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that education has been critical to preserving and protecting native Hawaiian culture.  In the 1820s and 1830s, literacy rates among the Hawaiian people reached almost ninety-five per cent.  The ability to read and write allowed native Hawaiians to preserve their history and culture in articles, letters, stories, and newspapers.  Public education was strongly supported by the Hawaiian Kingdom through allocations of moneys and government lands.

     The legislature recognizes that Hawaiian education in public schools continues to be a priority for the State and is mandated by the state constitution.  Ongoing funding for Hawaiian education programs and partnerships between the department of education and university of Hawaii are vitally needed to meet the State's obligations.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Require the department of education to ensure that the department's annual budget request to the legislature includes adequate funding for Hawaiian education; and

     (2)  Require the university of Hawaii board of regents to make support of Hawaiian education partnerships a benchmark when developing the university's annual budget request.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to subpart B of part V to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-     Funding for Hawaiian education.  Beginning with the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the department shall ensure that its annual budget request to the legislature includes a request for adequate funding to meet the State's obligation, pursuant to article X, section 4 of the state constitution, to provide a Hawaiian education program in public schools."

     SECTION 3.  Section 304A-2001, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  The board of regents shall adopt benchmarks to expand and develop the university to become a statewide campus that provides Hawaii with a higher education system designed to meet the future needs and demands of the citizens of the State and capitalize on the university's unique resources and location to become an international educational, research, and service center known both in the United States and throughout the Pacific and Asian countries.  The benchmarks shall include but not be limited to:

     (1)  Expanding access to educational opportunity throughout the State;

     (2)  Striving for excellence in undergraduate education;

     (3)  Requiring the university to continue to gain prominence in research and distance learning;

     (4)  Revitalizing services to the State[;], including partnerships that support Hawaiian education in K-12 schools;

     (5)  Enhancing the international role of the university; and

     (6)  Maintaining diversity by clarifying campus missions and coordinating campus plans."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2021.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

DOE; UH; Hawaiian Education Program; Budget Request

 

Description:

Requires the department of education to ensure that the department's annual budget request to the legislature includes adequate funding for Hawaiian education.  Requires the university of Hawaii board of regents to make support of Hawaiian education partnerships a benchmark when developing the university's annual budget request.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.