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Committee backs resolution urging state to create Hawaiian language commission
Summary
Council Member Tupala introduced Resolution 25‑37 urging the State of Hawaii to create a Hawaiian language commission to set standards for use, translation and education; the committee recommended reporting the resolution out for adoption with no objections.
Council Member Tupala presented Resolution 25‑37 on Feb. 13 urging the State of Hawaii to establish a Hawaiian language commission.
Tupala said the 1978 recognition of Hawaiian as an official language lacked implementing laws or standards and pointed to New Zealand’s experience establishing a Maori language commission as a model for codifying where the language should be used, translation standards, and education requirements. Tupala said the resolution seeks to move beyond informal recognition to statutory clarity and to set thresholds for expanding Hawaiian language education.
Tupala noted the Office of Hawaiian Affairs provided suggested amendments, which she said would be incorporated before the resolution proceeds to full Council. The committee recommended reporting Resolution 25‑37 out for adoption; no objections were recorded.
