HI SR43

Request the University of Hawaii, with Department of Education assistance, to review state funding for English as a second language programs and Hawaiian language programs and identify any funding disparities between them.

Require the University of Hawaii to report findings and recommendations, including projected costs to address funding differences, to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2013 Regular Session convenes.

Acknowledge that Hawaiian is one of the state's official languages but fluent speakers are a minority population with more limited program funding compared to English as a second language initiatives.

Intended to promote the Hawaiian language in the state's educational system by establishing a comprehensive funding comparison study.