119-sres419

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 419 Introduced in Senate

    (IS) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
S. RES. 419

Expressing support for the designation of September 2025 as ``Hawaiian 
History Month'' to recognize the history, culture and contributions of 
 Native Hawaiians and reaffirm the United States Federal trust 
 responsibility to the Native Hawaiian Community to support their well-
 being.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 September 29, 2025

 Mr. Schatz (for himself and Ms. Hirono) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

Expressing support for the designation of September 2025 as ``Hawaiian 
History Month'' to recognize the history, culture and contributions of 
 Native Hawaiians and reaffirm the United States Federal trust 
 responsibility to the Native Hawaiian Community to support their well-
 being.

Whereas Native Hawaiians are the indigenous people of Hawaii with a rich 
 cultural legacy rooted in centuries of self-sufficiency, land 
 stewardship, innovation, and community-building across the Hawaiian 
 archipelago;
Whereas, in the late 19th century, Native Hawaiians were among the most literate 
 people in the world, estimated to have a literacy rate of more than 90 
 percent, and established the first high school west of the Mississippi 
 River;
Whereas pivotal 19th century Native Hawaiian historians and scholars, including 
 Samuel Kamakau, Davida Malo, Kepelino Keauokalani, and John Papa Ii, 
 documented Hawaiian history and produced important literature on Native 
 Hawaiian genealogies, practices, and stories that remains relevant 
 today;
Whereas the Kingdom of Hawai'i was an internationally recognized sovereign 
 nation until its unlawful overthrow by United States forces in 1893;
Whereas, in 1993, Congress enacted Public Law 103-150 to acknowledge the 100th 
 anniversary of the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i, and 
 expressed regret for the role of the United States in the overthrow and 
 affirmed the inherent sovereignty of the Native Hawaiian people;
Whereas, by 1919, the Native Hawaiian population had significantly declined 
 since Western contact due to disease and loss of culture, language, 
 land, and political leadership;
Whereas individual Native Hawaiians have led efforts to revitalize their 
 culture, language, and traditions across generations, including--

    (1) David Kalakaua, the first elected king of the Kingdom of Hawai'i, 
who commissioned the construction of `Iolani Palace as a symbol of Hawaiian 
innovation and sovereignty and championed Hawaiian traditional arts and 
culture;

    (2) Queen Liliuokalani, the last sovereign monarch of the Kingdom of 
Hawai'i, who promoted Hawaiian sovereignty through constitutional reform 
and preserved Native Hawaiian culture through her prolific musical 
compositions, writings, and philanthropic efforts;

    (3) Bernice Pauahi Bishop, a princess of the Kingdom of Hawai'i whose 
will instructed the establishment of an institution to support the 
education and cultural stewardship of Native Hawaiian students;

    (4) George Helm, Jr., a musician and activist who, as a founding member 
of the Protect Kaho'olawe Ohana organization, protested the U.S. military 
bombing of Kaho'olawe Island and advocated for aloha aina, love for the 
land;

    (5) Duke Kahanamoku, a swimming champion who won 3 gold medals and 2 
silver medals over 3 Olympic games and whose passion for surfing led him to 
be globally recognized as the ``father of modern surfing'' and also 
remembered for his achievements as a lifeguard, sheriff, and ambassador of 
aloha;

    (6) Edith Kanakaole, a revered kumu hula (hula teacher), composer, and 
educator who preserved Hawaiian traditions through chant, dance, and 
academic instruction, and whose legacy was honored with a United States 
mint quarter in 2023;

    (7) Mary Kawena Pukui, co-author of the Hawaiian Dictionary and a 
leading scholar of Hawaiian language, customs, and oral traditions; and

    (8) Isabella Kauakea Yau Yung Aiona Abbott, the first woman on the 
biological sciences faculty at Stanford University, who in 1997 was awarded 
the Gilbert Morgan Smith medal, the highest award in marine botany from the 
National Academy of Sciences;

Whereas Native Hawaiians have made profound contributions to the United States 
 at all levels of the Federal Government and in the Armed Forces 
 including--

    (1) Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, elected as a delegate to the 
United States House of Representatives from the Territory of Hawai'i and 
the only royal-born member of Congress;

    (2) Senator Daniel K. Akaka, elected to the United States House of 
Representatives for 7 consecutive terms until he was appointed to the 
United States Senate, becoming the first Native Hawaiian to serve as a 
United States Senator; and

    (3) Private First Class Herbert Kailieha Pililaau and Private First 
Class Anthony T. Kahoohanohano, Native Hawaiians who received the Medal of 
Honor;

Whereas Congress, over many decades, enacted hundreds of statutes to promote 
 health, education, housing, and cultural preservation, recognizing and 
 implementing the special political and trust relationship with the 
 Native Hawaiian Community;
Whereas the State of Hawaii has enacted legislation formally recognizing 
 September as Hawaiian History Month to honor the legacy of Queen 
 Liliuokalani and promote public awareness for Native Hawaiian history 
 and culture;
Whereas, today, there are over 650,000 Native Hawaiians living across the globe, 
 with the highest concentration living in Hawai'i, followed closely by 
 California, Washington State, Nevada, Texas, and Oregon;
Whereas Federal law recognizes the continued importance of ancestral homelands 
 for Native Hawaiians and sets aside such lands for them, should they 
 choose to return; and
Whereas Hawaiian History Month provides an opportunity to educate all people of 
 the United States about Native Hawaiian history, celebrate their 
 enduring contributions to the United States, and promote reconciliation: 
 Now, therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the Senate expresses support for the designation of 
``Hawaiian History Month''--

    (1) to honor the history, culture, and contributions of 
 Native Hawaiians to the State of Hawaii, the United States, and 
 the global community;

    (2) to recognize the importance of Public Law 103-150 and 
 the ongoing efforts to achieve reconciliation, including 
 through consultation;

    (3) to commend the revitalization of Native Hawaiian 
 language, culture, and traditions as essential to the well-
 being and identity of Native Hawaiian communities; and

    (4) to encourage Federal agencies, educational 
 institutions, and civil society to observe Hawaiian History 
 Month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and educational 
 activities.
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