HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0567.002 1996-1998
PHONE (808) 594-1888 • w, FAX (808) 594-1865
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STATE OF HAWAII
OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS
711 KAPI'OLANI BOULEVARD, SUITE 500 RECEIVED
HONOLULU, HAWAII 98813 n~._____._____..r.- By.-__..._._.,,,,,,
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County Council r.~'a
TESTIMONY SUPPORTING THE PASSAGE OF
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE
HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (1995 EDITION)
TO ENCOURAGE THE PROPER USE AND SPELLING OF
HAWAIIAN WORDS AND TERMS
November 18, 1997
Aloha kakahiaka, Chairman Chung and members of the Hawaii County Council Committee on
Finance. I am Jamie Kawauchi, Hawaii Island Community Affairs Coordinator for the Office of
Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and I speak this morning in support of an ordinance amending Chapter 2
of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (1995 Edition) to ENCOURAGE THE PROPER USE AND
SPELLING OF HAWAIIAN WORDS AND TERMS.
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OHA believes it is in the best interest of the State, and each of its Counties, to perpetuate,
preserve, cultivate, and convey the indigenous language of Hawaii whenever possible. In fact,
OHA considers it the obligation of the State and Counties to use the Hawaiian language in
conformance with Section 4, Article XIV of the State Constitution: "English and Hawaiian
shall be the official languages of Hmvai'i, excopt that Hawaiian shall be required
for public
acts and transactions only as provided by lasv. "
Perpetuation and use of Hawai`is language plays and integral role in preservation of Hawaiian
culture. This fact becomes increasingly apparent when it is understood that pre-contact
Hawaiians did not have a written language. As such, historical accounts of significant events,
family genealogy and ordinary life were communicated orally, and handed down verbally from
generation to generation. It was not until after the 1778 arrival of Captain James Cook that the
Hawaiian language was recorded in written form. An integral part of the successful
transformation of Hawaiian, from a verbal to written language, is usage of the kahako (macron)
and `okina (glottal stops). Both, ensure the language is preserved as correctly as possible.
Proper use of the Hawaiian language initiates great. pride in Hawauans and often brings status and
honor to those who learn and use it. "I kcr 'i>lelo ke ola. I ka 'c~elo ka make. " `7n the word
(the language) there is life. In the word (the language) there is death. "
Mahalo a nui loa for this opportunity to share our mana`o with you. I will be happy to answer
any questions you or members of your Committee may have.
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