[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 160 (Tuesday, September 30, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING HAWAIIAN HISTORY MONTH

                                  _____
                                 

                              HON. ED CASE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 30, 2025

  Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, as we commemorate Hawaiian History Month this 
September, I want to again express the pride and appreciation of my 
Hawaii in the unique history, culture and contributions of the Native 
Hawaiian people.
  Because of Hawaii's geographic distance from the continental United 
States and the general lack of education nationally about Hawaiian 
history, many Americans remain unaware that there are over 700,000 now 
who identify in whole or in part as Native Hawaiian. Roughly half 
continue to reside in their homeland of Hawaii, and I am deeply humbled 
to join my Hawaii Congressional delegation colleagues in our kuleana 
(responsibility) to represent them and their `ohana (family) everywhere 
in Congress.
  The Native Hawaiians, also known as Kanaka Maoli, trace their origins 
to the extraordinary voyages from their ancestral homeland of Kahiki--
today's Tahiti and Marquesas--hundreds of years before the arrival of 
other recognized Pacific peoples in their homelands. By the time of 
first Western contact with Captain Cook in 1778, Native Hawaiians had 
developed a complete and vibrant culture with their own language, 
religion, values and sophisticated systems of governance, agriculture 
and navigation.
  Yet, like so many other indigenous peoples, post-contact Native 
Hawaiians endured marginalization, suppression and loss of their 
traditions in their own homelands. While estimates vary, it is believed 
that there were more than 300,000 Native Hawaiians prior to the arrival 
of Captain Cook, but by 1920, that number had fallen to just under 
24,000, on the verge of losing bedrock cultural practices such as hula, 
traditional chanting called oli and the Hawaiian language itself due to 
mass population loss and laws preventing the teaching of Hawaiian.
  But beginning in the 1960s-70s, a cultural renaissance took hold. 
Kumu hula (master teachers in the art of hula) like George Na`ope, who 
founded the Merrie Monarch Festival, worked tirelessly to preserve and 
revive ancient hula traditions. Language advocates like Larry Kimura 
launched `Aha Punana Leo preschools to nurture a new generation of 
`Olelo Hawaii (Hawaiian language) speakers. The Polynesian Voyaging 
Society, through the construction and voyages of the Hokule`a, 
reawakened the ancient art of navigation and connected Native Hawaiians 
with their voyaging ancestors.
  Today, Native Hawaiians continue to embody resilience and leadership. 
Their revival across all enriches not only Hawaii but also the entire 
Nation, offering a living example of perseverance, identity and 
contribution. We see this in the half-century now of traditional 
navigation of Nainoa Thompson, the first Hawaiian master navigator in 
600 years, the music and cultural leadership of Keali`i Reichel and 
Kumu Hula Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, the athletic achievements of Max 
Holloway and Akebono Taro, and the groundbreaking scientific work of 
Dr. Isabella Abbott, the world's foremost expert on Pacific marine 
algae.
  As we mark Hawaiian History Month. let us honor the Native Hawaiian 
people, recognize their unique history and culture, and recommit 
ourselves to ensuring that this heritage remains a living, thriving 
part of our shared American story.

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