HI HR16

Urges private schools in Hawaii to consider offering or continuing to offer Hawaiian language instruction as an option or elective in their academic curriculum.

Requests private schools not currently teaching Hawaiian language to survey parents and students to determine interest in learning the language.

Requests private schools to identify ways to incorporate Hawaiian language into their curriculum and instruction.

Directs certified copies of the resolution be transmitted to Aha Kauleo for Papahana Kaiapuni Hawaii, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, and other private school organizations to distribute to their member schools.

Notes that approximately 23 public schools offer Hawaiian language immersion, 16 private schools currently teach Hawaiian, and resources for Hawaiian language learning are widely available through dictionaries, digital libraries, and college-level programs.