Hawaiian diacritical marks on license plates proposed
Two bills to allow the use of Hawaiian diacritical marks on state license plates are progressing through the Legislature.
House Bill 110, which passed out of the House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, would authorize the use of diacritical marks for Hawaiian words on special numbered license plates. Meanwhile, House Bill 105 would require an okina in the word “Hawai‘i” on plates.
“These changes are a part of a broader citywide effort to promote the Hawaiian language,” the city and county’s Department of Customer Services director, Kim Hashiro, said in a written statement to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “The changes provide important validation of the Hawaiian language and respect for Hawaiian culture.”
