THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	82
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING ALL HAWAII HIGH SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES.

 

 

     WHEREAS, article XV, section 4, of the Hawaii State Constitution establishes the Hawaiian language (‘olelo Hawai‘i) as one of the two official languages of the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, ‘olelo Hawai‘i is the only language in the United States that is officially recognized at the state level; and

 

     WHEREAS, the designation of Hawaiian as an official language of the State paved the way for the creation of Hawaiian language revitalization programs, such as ‘Aha Punana Leo and Ke Kula Kaiapuni Hawai‘i; and

 

     WHEREAS, the success of the ‘Aha Punana Leo and Ke Kula Kaiapuni Hawai‘i programs have created a new generation of speakers of ‘olelo Hawai‘i and increased the use and visibility of ‘olelo Hawai‘i throughout the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, ‘olelo Hawai‘i is a defining feature of the Hawaiian culture and a major part of what makes Hawai‘i unique; and

 

     WHEREAS, knowledge of ‘olelo Hawai‘i fosters a sense of community and helps one to identify more closely with traditions and values of Hawai‘i; and

 

     WHEREAS, access to ‘olelo Hawai‘i classes through the public school system would allow this knowledge to reach a broader section of the population in a cost-effective manner; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Education is urged to require all public high schools to offer ‘olelo Hawai‘i classes; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all private high schools are highly encouraged to offer ‘olelo Hawai‘i classes at their respective institutions; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Superintendent of Education, Chairperson of the Board of Education, and Hawaii Association of Independent Schools.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Hawaiian Language; Public High Schools