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 Hawaiʻi 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 Hawaiʻi 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 Liliʻuokalani, and the annexation by the United States; and

 

     WHEREAS, the continued omission or marginalization of ʻōiwi 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, ʻōiwi education frameworks grounded in moʻokūʻauhau (genealogy), moʻolelo (oral traditions), mele (songs), and ʻike kūpuna (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 66th 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 ʻōiwi 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