Commentary from Senator Sakamoto

August 2, 2006

Language Access Bill

On July 10, the Language Access Act was signed into law.1 The new law requires state and county governments to provide language services to thousands of limited proficiency English speaking taxpayers, giving them access to essential government information and services.

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Jul/11/ln/FP607110351.html

This is an important piece of legislation for Hawaii's diverse multicultural society. The 2000 U.S. Census found that 26.6 percent of Hawaii's population speak a language other than English at home. With this law our government will be more accessible to recent immigrants. It will also help them start a new life in Hawaii and become productive members of our community. We can be proud of the fact that America is a land of opportunity and Hawaii is the Aloha State. Many of us have grandparents or relatives who came to America not knowing any English, but several generations later – thanks to their hard work – we speak English fluently and we consider America our home.

1 Gordon Y.K. Pang, "Governor signs language-access bill into law," Honolulu Advertiser, July 11, 2006. Mila Medallon and Atty. Philmund Lee, "Community Advocate Who Turns Vision Into Action," The Fil-Am Courier, July 16-31, 2006. http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Jul/11/ln/FP607110351.html