Posted on 02/06/2018 10:52:18 AM PST by simpson96
A criminal defendant’s controversial use of the Hawaiian language during a Wailuku District Court hearing this week has prompted the Aloha State to revise its policy for providing interpreters.
The Hawaii State Judiciary on Friday announced it will start offering Hawaiian language interpreters, albeit two days after Wailuku District Judge Blaine Kobayashi issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Samuel Kaeo, a Maui man who refused to answer the judge’s questions in English.
Mr. Kaeo, though an English speaker, addressed the court in Hawaiian, which has also been recognized in the state constitution alongside English as an official language since 1978.
“The Judiciary will provide or permit qualified Hawaiian language interpreters to the extent reasonably possible when parties in courtroom proceedings choose to express themselves through the Hawaiian language,” the state’s court system said in a press release.
“The Judiciary will develop implementation procedures for this policy, and welcomes input from the community,” the announcement said.(snip)
Mr. Kaeo was initially charged with the three misdemeanors after being arrested while protesting construction of the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope on Maui. He was charged with disorderly conduct, obstructing a sidewalk and failure to obey police who were directing traffic, and he’s pleaded not guilty to all three counts.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
A perp speaking Klingon will be next.
Of course I agree it’s a political act — but at least he seems to have the state constitution on his side. Those demanding to speak Spanish here in the states have even less legal footing.
Interesting.
I agree. It’s recognized by the state constitution as an official language, so either English or Hawaiian should be acceptable by state courts. (Not sure if this is a federal court or not.)
However the interpreter may not be all that precise. He called you a ____, judge. He pleads guilty, Judge. All kinds of accidental misinterpretations could happen.
So THEIR STATE CONSTITUTION recognizes the English language as the OFFICIAL language(along with their own). If true, why do our congress critters continue to speak in tongues of their own choosing? ENGLISH is the OFFICIAL LANGUAGE of the USA. LEARN IT!
“He said mahalo, brah”
I loved my visit to Hawaii. Perfect weather every day. Beautiful scenery. Clear water for snorkeling. Fresh food. But they will steal every thing but a red hot stove if you leave it out and not think a thing about it.
“But they will steal every thing but a red hot stove if you leave it out and not think a thing about it.”
Yep,theft is a HUGE problem there.
.
New Mexico's State Constitution made both English and Spanish the official languages of the state when it was created. There were many original Spanish settlers here who had a great influence on that.
I have heard that but glad I didn’t experience it. When I was there one of the bus drivers got talking to me and warned me about things like that, and the meth, other drugs.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.