HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0567.004 1996-1998 - - - -s . ~ - .n.
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`A h a P n a L e o
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November 17,1997
RECEIVED
Houorable Chairman Aaron Chung & Members _
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Hawaii County Council Committee oo Finance pate _--.!'ll fr"~'1...._.___
25 Aupunl Street ,y~t~nty Counclll,,P - FC
Hllo,HI 96720
Dear Honorable Members of the Committee on Finance:
Thank you for this opportunity to provide testimony on BID No. 162 which encourages the
proper speWng of Hawaiian words in the Coauty o[ Hawaii. We appreciate this effort and
would like to thank Councilman Tyler for introducing the Bill.
`Aha P-unana Leo is a non profit organization which strives to re-generate and perpetoafe the
Hawaiian language as a living language. Our mission Ls "E ols mau ka `bleb Hawaii" (1be
Hawaiian language shall ilve.) Over the last decade, `Aha Pbnana Leo has worked with
dedicated parents and other organizations, such as the Office of Hawailan affairs, to develop
ten Hawaiian language pre-schools across the state. `Aha Punana Leo has also worked with
the Department of Education to establish Hawaiian immersion programs throughout the state.
We were recently recognized at the Native Indian Education Association as the leader in oalive
language revitalization in the United States.
Bill No. 162 points out that the Hawaiian language is an official language of the State of
Hawaii. Numerous other references and examples could be made to demoasti'ate that
Hawailan has been recognized as a legitimate and important language in Hawaii. We hope
that this fact need not be further established. Any hesitation over the approval of this B~ will
probably revolve around fears that spelling Hawailan words rnrrectly takes a great deal of
time, effort and mouey. As au organization that conducts it's day to day operation entirely m
the Hawaiian language, we would like to ensure you thaltspelling Hawaiian words correctly
can be done and does not require an unreasonable amount of time or money. All it really
takes is tbe rnmmitment to do so.
It must be emphasized that using the appropriate markings in llawailan words is not a
decorative fature or a "nicety:' When macrons and glottal stops are left out of Hawaiian
words the meaning can change dramatkally. For example, the Hawaiian word li`a mesas the
desire you have for your sweetheart. Lia without the glottal stop, on the other hand, means the
egg of an uku. You would never leave the "r" out of shirt. Please don't leav the glottal stop
a+0. SG 7. o ~
out of words like ti`a.
~>e iro. Mcc
[tot, ,~troseafeti FG
t~,~I8 1
Hale Ksko'o • 1744 Kino'ole. Hilo. Hawaii 96720-5245 • ke/epona (808) 959-4979 • ket<patl (dod)954i72i.~.~,~,r~
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Makiug this commftmeut to the Hawallau language will help to ensure and perpetuate the
culture that makes Hawaii what it Ls. `Aha Pitnana I.eo would be happy to provide aay
further information or answer any questions that may assist iu the progression o[ this Bill.
`O wan no me `oia`'`o
Alapaki Nahale•a, Program Outreach Officer
`Aha Punana I.eo