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<br /> PHONE (808) 594-1888 • w, FAX (808) 594-1865 <br /> ,n• <br /> ~~I~ <br /> STATE OF HAWAII <br /> OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS <br /> 711 KAPI'OLANI BOULEVARD, SUITE 500 RECEIVED <br /> HONOLULU, HAWAII 98813 n~._____._____..r.- By.-__..._._.,,,,,, <br /> pax ._".~135~'L~-- <br /> County Council r.~'a <br /> TESTIMONY SUPPORTING THE PASSAGE OF <br /> AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE <br /> HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (1995 EDITION) <br /> TO ENCOURAGE THE PROPER USE AND SPELLING OF <br /> HAWAIIAN WORDS AND TERMS <br /> November 18, 1997 <br /> Aloha kakahiaka, Chairman Chung and members of the Hawaii County Council Committee on <br /> Finance. I am Jamie Kawauchi, Hawaii Island Community Affairs Coordinator for the Office of <br /> Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and I speak this morning in support of an ordinance amending Chapter 2 <br /> of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (1995 Edition) to ENCOURAGE THE PROPER USE AND <br /> SPELLING OF HAWAIIAN WORDS AND TERMS. <br /> l~ - <br /> OHA believes it is in the best interest of the State, and each of its Counties, to perpetuate, <br /> preserve, cultivate, and convey the indigenous language of Hawaii whenever possible. In fact, <br /> OHA considers it the obligation of the State and Counties to use the Hawaiian language in <br /> conformance with Section 4, Article XIV of the State Constitution: "English and Hawaiian <br /> shall be the official languages of Hmvai'i, excopt that Hawaiian shall be required <br /> for public <br /> acts and transactions only as provided by lasv. " <br /> Perpetuation and use of Hawai`is language plays and integral role in preservation of Hawaiian <br /> culture. This fact becomes increasingly apparent when it is understood that pre-contact <br /> Hawaiians did not have a written language. As such, historical accounts of significant events, <br /> family genealogy and ordinary life were communicated orally, and handed down verbally from <br /> generation to generation. It was not until after the 1778 arrival of Captain James Cook that the <br /> Hawaiian language was recorded in written form. An integral part of the successful <br /> transformation of Hawaiian, from a verbal to written language, is usage of the kahako (macron) <br /> and `okina (glottal stops). Both, ensure the language is preserved as correctly as possible. <br /> Proper use of the Hawaiian language initiates great. pride in Hawauans and often brings status and <br /> honor to those who learn and use it. "I kcr 'i>lelo ke ola. I ka 'c~elo ka make. " `7n the word <br /> (the language) there is life. In the word (the language) there is death. " <br /> Mahalo a nui loa for this opportunity to share our mana`o with you. I will be happy to answer <br /> any questions you or members of your Committee may have. <br /> ~ ~ SG ~ o,Z, <br /> ru. x. H <br /> c-- <br /> ~ <br /> M_.._.. <br /> u. ~•esepfed Fc <br /> b.[, piy~ 1 8 <br /> <br />