HI HB2046

Establishes the ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Commission within the Office of the Governor on a temporary basis to coordinate and promote Hawaiian language revitalization efforts statewide.

Commission membership includes the Office of Hawaiian Affairs CEO (serving as chair), representatives from the Department of Education's Office of Hawaiian Education, and representatives from UH Mānoa's Kawaihuelani Center and UH Hilo's Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language.

The chair may invite additional members including a native speaker of the Niʻihau dialect, a Hawaiian Language Lexicon Committee representative, and other stakeholders.

Commission duties include coordinating state and county language promotion efforts, supporting organizations in developing language plans, conducting research, and developing new Hawaiian words reflecting contemporary usage.

Appropriates an unspecified amount from general revenues for fiscal year 2026-2027; the Act sunsets on December 2, 2030.