Bill > SR15

This resolution urges the Department of Education to require the teaching of Hawaiian history before 1959 from an indigenous perspective, starting by the 2027-2028 school year, in all social studies classes across all grade levels. The resolution emphasizes that this mandate is necessary to fulfill the state's constitutional obligation to promote Hawaiian culture and history, address the current curriculum's overemphasis on post-statehood events, and acknowledge crucial historical moments like the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and U.S. annexation. It highlights that excluding indigenous perspectives, referred to as "?oiwi perspectives," perpetuates historical erasure and harms Native Hawaiian students, while incorporating indigenous educational frameworks like genealogy ("mo?oku?auhau"), oral traditions ("mo?olelo"), songs ("mele"), and ancestral knowledge ("?ike kupuna") can improve academic outcomes for all students. The resolution also calls for the Department of Education to involve Native Hawaiian educators and community members in developing curriculum standards, materials, and teacher training programs that align with these indigenous teaching methods.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SR&billnumber=15&year=2026