SB 2314 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE.

Summary

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)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 15, 2026 Last action Mar 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2314 → SB2314_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill revision shifts the standard for resolving conflicts between English and Hawaiian legal texts from a rigid rule based on which language was drafted first to a flexible approach prioritizing legislative intent. It also clarifies that while Hawaiian is an official language, it is not mandatory for public acts and transactions. These changes matter because they allow courts to interpret laws based on the legislature's original purpose rather than getting stuck on translation origins, while simultaneously reducing the administrative burden of using Hawaiian in daily public business.

Scope change

The bill's scope of application for resolving legal conflicts changed from a strict 'origin of drafting' rule to a 'legislative intent' standard, and the requirement for Hawaiian in public transactions was explicitly removed.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the rule for resolving legal conflicts from prioritizing the language originally drafted to prioritizing the language that aligns with legislative intent.

Removed the strict requirement that the Hawaiian version must be binding if the law was originally drafted in Hawaiian, replacing it with a more flexible intent-based standard.

Clarified that Hawaiian is not required for public acts and transactions, though it is still welcomed.

DEFINITION

Updated the description of the United States' relationship with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples from 'signatory' to 'supporter' and changed the year from 2011 to 2010.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to JHA, referral sheet 17

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 208) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

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.

upper

Feb 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-27-26 10:30AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Committee

Reported from HWN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2271) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

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.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HWN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-26 1:10PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 26, 2026

Committee

Referred to HWN, JDC.

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 15, 2026

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

7 primary · 1 co-sponsor