Office of Language Access (OLA) Proposed Rules
Public Hearing Notice & Ka Pa’akai Statement (PDF)
Public Hearing Notice
Public Notice (to be published in newspapers by 7/23/2026)
The State of Hawai‘i Department of Health, Office of Language Access (OLA), will hold a public hearing to consider the proposed adoption of Hawai‘i Administrative Rules chapter 11-220, “Office of Language Access Rules of Practice.”
These proposed rules establish uniform statewide procedures necessary to implement chapter 321C, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, which requires state agencies and covered entities to provide meaningful access to programs, services, and activities for limited English proficient individuals. The rules address statewide language access planning requirements, an interpreter and translator roster system, compliance monitoring, complaint procedures, and other administrative functions needed for effective implementation.
The proposed amendments will be posted online at https://health.hawaii.gov/ola/. They may also be viewed in person at OLA, 1177 Alakea Street, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (except state holidays). Copies will be mailed on request and payment of a 5 cent/page copy fee and postage; call 808-586‑8730 to request.
The public hearing will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, August 27, at the Department of Health Kinau Hale Building, 1250 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, First Floor Boardroom. All interested parties may attend and present relevant information, comments, and opinions, including but not limited to the ways in which the proposed rules may impair or otherwise impact Native Hawaiian rights, traditions, and practices. To request an auxiliary aid or service (e.g., ASL interpreter, large print), call OLA at 808-586-8730 (voice/TDD) or email [email protected] as soon as possible to allow adequate time to fulfill the request.
Anyone unable to attend may submit written comments to: Attn: Administrative Rules, OLA, Kinau Hale Room 201, 1250 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, or email [email protected]. All submissions must be received by September 3, 2026.
Ka Pa’akai Statement
The proposed Office of Language Access rules (chapter 11-220, Hawaii Administrative Rules) aim to provide meaningful access to government programs, services, and activities for limited English proficient persons by establishing uniform statewide procedures for language access planning, compliance monitoring, interpreter and translator rosters, complaint procedures, and Office of Language Access administrative functions. The Department of Health does not anticipate that the proposed rules will impair or otherwise impact Native Hawaiian rights, traditions, and practices. Nevertheless, the Department welcomes input from stakeholders who may hold a different view.
