URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO MANDATE THE TEACHING OF PRE-1959 HAWAIIAN HISTORY FROM AN INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVE, BEGINNING NO LATER THAN SCHOOL YEAR 2027-2028, ACROSS ALL GRADE LEVELS WHERE SOCIAL STUDIES IS TAUGHT.

SR15

THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

15

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO MANDATE THE
TEACHING OF PRE-1959 HAWAIIAN HISTORY FROM AN INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVE, BEGINNING
NO LATER THAN SCHOOL YEAR 2027-2028, ACROSS ALL GRADE LEVELS WHERE SOCIAL
STUDIES IS TAUGHT
.

����
WHEREAS,
Article X, Section 4 of the Constitution of the State of Hawai
ʻ
i mandates that
"the State shall promote the study of Hawaiian culture, history and
language," thereby affirming its obligation to center Hawaiian language
and culture within the public education system; and

����
WHEREAS, the
current social studies curriculum in Hawai
ʻ
i
public schools disproportionately emphasizes post-statehood events and fails to
provide students with a comprehensive understanding of pre-1959 Hawaiian
history, including the Hawaiian Kingdom's sophisticated systems of governance,
land tenure, education, and diplomacy; and

����
WHEREAS, a
truthful and inclusive education must acknowledge pivotal moments in Hawaiian
history such as the unification of the islands under Kamehameha I, the
establishment of a constitutional monarchy, the 1893 overthrow of Queen Lili
ʻ
uokalani, and the
annexation by the United States; and

����
WHEREAS, the
continued omission or marginalization of
ʻ
ō
iwi perspectives in
education perpetuates historical erasure, contributes to cultural and identity
loss, and undermines the academic and social confidence of Native Hawaiian
students; and

����
WHEREAS,
ʻ
ō
iwi education
frameworks grounded in mo
ʻ
ok
ū
ʻ
auhau (genealogy), mo
ʻ
olelo (oral
traditions), mele (songs), and
ʻ
ike
k
ū
puna (ancestral
knowledge) provide culturally affirming, academically rigorous pathways that
benefit all learners and promote civic understanding and justice; and

����
WHEREAS,
research demonstrates that culturally relevant and community-informed
curriculum increases student engagement, academic performance, and long-term
educational outcomes�especially for Native Hawaiian and other native youth; and

����
WHEREAS, in
2025 at the 66
th
Annual Convention of the Association of Hawaiian
Civic Clubs held in Keauhou, Kona, the convention body adopted Resolution No.
2025-54 "URGING THE STATE OF HAWAII AND ITS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO
MANDATE THE TEACHING OF PRE-1959 HAWAIIAN HISTORY FROM AN INDIGENOUS
PERSPECTIVE, BEGINNING NO LATER THAN SCHOOL YEAR 2030-2031, ACROSS ALL GRADE
LEVELS WHERE SOCIAL STUDIES IS TAUGHT; and

����
WHEREAS, postponing
these essential curriculum reforms until the 2030�2031 school year would place
our students at an avoidable educational disadvantage; and

����
WHEREAS, the
State of Hawaii must take action now to meet its constitutional obligations and
correct systemic inequities within the public education system; now, therefore,

����
BE IT
RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii,
Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Education is urged to mandate
the teaching of pre-1959 Hawaiian history from an indigenous perspective,
beginning no later than the 2027-2028 school years, across all grade levels
where social studies is taught; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Education engage Native Hawaiian educators,
historians, cultural practitioners, and community-based organizations in a
transparent and accountable process to develop curriculum standards, approved
materials, and teacher training programs aligned with
ʻ
ō
iwi
pedagogy; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Department of Education, the Board of Education, and the Office of Hawaiian
Education.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

Department
of Education; Hawaiian Studies Curriculum