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