Relating To The Hawaiian Language.
Last status update Mar 10, 2026
What this measure contains
Requires that whenever there is a difference between the English and Hawaii version of law that is material to its interpretation, priority shall be given to the language that aligns with the intent of the legislature as evidenced by legislative history, context, and purpose. Clarifies that Hawaiian shall not be required for public acts and transactions, but is welcomed. (SD1)
Source summary of the imported measure. Amendments can change the wording; read a specific version for its complete provisions.
Read the full bill at its source ↗Bill text and versions
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- Introduced · Official document ↗· Jan 15, 2026
- Amended · Official document ↗· Feb 13, 2026
Related measures
- HB2433— Same As
Related measures may contain different language or follow different histories.
Legislative path
Each stage below is a recorded decision from the official measure history, attached to the draft it considered. A member's row follows their votes from the first draft to the latest, and a highlighted vote marks where it changed. Committee and conference votes list every member by name. Floor votes list only exceptions; members serving that day who aren't named are shown as ayes in a dashed outline.
- Introduced
- SD1by HWN
Companion measure: HB2433. A companion follows its own path; its votes are not combined with this one.
Decision stages
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Hawaiian Affairs (HWN) on the introduced draft: Passed, with amendments, reported as SD1
5 aye · 0 no · 0 excused · Source roll call
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Judiciary (JDC) on SD1: Passed, unamended
5 aye · 0 no · 0 excused · Source roll call
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Senate third reading on SD1: Passed
25 aye · 0 no · 0 excused
Senate members along the path
| Member | HWN Introduced | JDC SD1 | Third reading SD1 | Change along the path |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brenton AwaSD-023 | Aye | Aye | ||
| Stanley ChangSD-009 | Aye | Aye | ||
| Samantha DeCorteSD-022 | Aye | Aye | ||
| Mike GabbardSD-021 | Aye | Aye | ||
| Les IharaSD-010 | Aye | Aye | ||
| Jarrett KeohokaloleSD-024 | Aye | Aye | ||
| Rachele Fernandez LamosaoSD-019 | Aye | Aye | ||
| Karl RhoadsSD-013 | Aye | Aye | ||
| Tim RichardsSD-004 | Aye | Aye | ||
| Joy San BuenaventuraSD-002 | Aye | Aye |
15 more Senate members only counted as floor ayes
| Member | HWN Introduced | JDC SD1 | Third reading SD1 | Change along the path |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donovan CruzSD-017 | Aye | |||
| Lynn DecoiteSD-007 | Aye | |||
| Brandon ElefanteSD-016 | Aye | |||
| Kurt FevellaSD-020 | Aye | |||
| Carol FukunagaSD-011 | Aye | |||
| Troy HashimotoSD-005 | Aye | |||
| Lorraine InouyeSD-001 | Aye | |||
| Dru KanuhaSD-003 | Aye | |||
| Michelle KidaniSD-018 | Aye | |||
| Donna KimSD-014 | Aye | |||
| Ronald KouchiSD-008 | Aye | |||
| Chris LeeSD-025 | Aye | |||
| Angus McKelveySD-006 | Aye | |||
| Sharon MoriwakiSD-012 | Aye | |||
| Glenn WakaiSD-015 | Aye |
Aye named · Aye* with reservations · Aye floor vote, not named as an exception · No · Excused · Changed reversed from the previous vote
Names are matched to legislators only when exactly one person fits; every printed name on this measure was matched. A missing vote means no record was found for that member at that stage, not a no vote. Committee codes follow the Legislature's abbreviations.Official measure history ↗
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Legislative history
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Pending Introduction.
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Introduced and passed First Reading.
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Referred to HWN, JDC.
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The committee(s) on HWN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-26 1:10PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
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The committee(s) on HWN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HWN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Richards, Lamosao, Ihara, Keohokalole, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
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Reported from HWN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2271) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.
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Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.
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The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-27-26 10:30AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
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The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
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Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3084) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
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One Day Notice 03-10-26.
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Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
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Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 208) in amended form (SD 1).
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Pass First Reading
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Referred to JHA, referral sheet 17