H.R. 152 - Hawaiian Language Requirement for High School Graduation

• Urges the Board of Education to require all public high school students to obtain credit for one year of Hawaiian language instruction as part of minimum graduation requirements.

• References the late 1800s English-only law that forbade Hawaiian language in schools and punished students who spoke it, leading to near extinction of the language.

• Notes that Hawaii's 1978 constitutional amendments recognize Hawaiian as an official state language and require the state to promote Hawaiian culture, history, and language in public schools.

• Argues that requiring Hawaiian language proficiency demonstrates the language's importance to preserving Hawaiian culture and provides all students the opportunity to learn it.

• Requires certified copies of the resolution to be transmitted to each member of the Board of Education.