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Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

SB 2314: RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE.

Passed one chamber Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

SB 2314 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii Senate on January 15, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE. Primary sponsor: Karl Rhoads (Democratic), Stanley Chang (Democratic), Brandon Elefante (Democratic), Angus McKelvey (Democratic), Carol Fukunaga (Democratic), Mike Gabbard (Democratic), Joy San Buenaventura (Democratic). It lists 1 additional sponsor. Most recent recorded action (March 12, 2026): Pass First Reading.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

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)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 8

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Karl RhoadsPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate13
Stanley ChangPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate9
Brandon ElefantePrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate16
Angus McKelveyPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate6
Carol FukunagaPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate11
Mike GabbardPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate21
Joy San BuenaventuraPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate2
Les IharaCo-sponsorDemocraticSenate10

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Pass First Reading
  2. Referred to JHA, referral sheet 17
  3. Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
  4. Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 208) in amended form (SD 1).
  5. Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3084) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
  6. One Day Notice 03-10-26.
  7. 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.
  8. The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-27-26 10:30AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
  9. Reported from HWN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2271) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.
  10. Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.
  11. 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.
  12. The committee(s) on HWN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-26 1:10PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

Showing 12 most recent of 15 actions. Full history

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source