HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	124
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO INTEGRATE THE DOCUMENTARY FILM "WATERMAN" INTO MIDDLE AND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL CURRICULUM.

WHEREAS, the people of Hawaii descend from a long and storied path of heroes who embody strength, courage, integrity, determination, and humility; and

WHEREAS, many of these heroes in the stories of old Hawaii survived tremendous trials by adhering to long-held values of aloha, perseverance, and teamwork; and

WHEREAS, the youth of today have become increasingly unfamiliar with these lessons as they drift farther from the ancient stories and traditional storylines of what qualities enhance the intrinsic values of ohana (family) and hard work, upon both of which they should model their behavior; and

WHEREAS, youth in Hawaii have been inundated with modern distractions such as social media, smartphones, and drug use, and these distractions affect their physical and mental health, causing a shift in whom they idolize and admire; and

WHEREAS, behavioralists and mental health therapists recognize that in their most impressionable ages, children often model their goals and behaviors after those they most admire; and

WHEREAS, a contemporary Hawaiian legend, Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku, who was a five-time Olympic medalist in swimming, a pioneer in surfing, and the true Hawaiian ambassador of aloha was also a role model from which children should derive value; and

WHEREAS, an extremely engaging documentary film entitled "Waterman" highlights the life, times, and challenges of Duke Kahanamoku as a young Native Hawaiian immersed in the western world while faithfully retaining his qualities of aloha; and

WHEREAS, "Waterman" was recently showcased to an audience of legislators, community leaders, and school officials in hopes that they could recognize the intrinsic value of the documentary in shaping the perspectives, values, and goals of children; and

WHEREAS, "Waterman" was received with an overwhelmingly positive response and it was determined that the movie's efficacy to affect positive change might best be impactful in the years encompassing middle and intermediate school; and

WHEREAS, producers David Ulich and Dr. Steven Ungerleider of Sidewinder Films have agreed to allow free access to "Waterman" in hopes that it could be broadly integrated into the middle and intermediate school curriculum and shown comprehensively to students as a coordinated effort to improve the local self-perception, self-esteem, self-worth, and self-respect of children throughout Hawaii; now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, that the Board of Education and Department of Education are urged to integrate into the middle and intermediate school curriculum a component that involves the "Waterman" film to help provide a strong role model for a population of children who have so few heroes to embrace; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is urged to coordinate with the necessary agencies and stakeholders to provide free access to the documentary in a format that is accessible to each school; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education and Superintendent of Education.

Report Title:

Duke Kahanamoku; Waterman; Department of Education; Movie; History