[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5010-S5011]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 909--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 2026 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
Mr. SCHATZ (for himself and Ms. Hirono) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs:
S. Res. 909
Whereas Native Hawaiians are the indigenous people of
Hawai`i with a rich history and cultural legacy rooted in
centuries of self-sufficiency, land stewardship, innovation,
and community-building across the Hawaiian archipelago;
Whereas 19th century Native Hawaiian historians and
scholars, including Samuel Manaiakalani Kamakau, Davida
(David) Malo, Zepherin (Kepelino) Kuhopu Kaho`ali`i
Keauokalani, and Ioane (John) Papa `I`i, documented Hawaiian
history and literature on Native Hawaiian genealogies,
practices, and stories that contemporary historians and
cultural practitioners draw upon today;
Whereas the Kingdom of Hawai`i was an internationally
recognized sovereign nation, maintaining diplomatic and
economic relations with the United States and other nations;
Whereas individual members of the royal families of the
Kingdom of Hawai`i demonstrated commitment to the welfare of
the people of Hawai`i and the advancement of the Native
Hawaiian Community, including--
(1) Bernice Pauahi Paki 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;
(2) Queen Emma, born Emma Kalanikaumaka`amano Kaleleonalani
Na`ea Rooke, who together with her husband, King Kamehameha
IV, committed to provide quality health care services to
improve the well-being of Native Hawaiians and all the people
of Hawai`i after epidemics decimated the population;
(3) King Kalakaua, born David La`amea Kamanakapu`u
Mahinulani Nala`ia`ehuokalani Lumialani 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; and
(4) Queen Lili`uokalani, born Lydia Lili`u Loloku Walania
Kamaka`eha, the last sovereign monarch of the Kingdom of
Hawai`i, who promoted Hawaiian sovereignty through
constitutional reform and preserved Native
[[Page S5011]]
Hawaiian culture through her prolific musical compositions,
writings, and philanthropic efforts that support children and
families;
Whereas the Kingdom of Hawai`i was unlawfully overthrown by
businessmen of the United States and Europe with support from
the United States military 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, 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 Native Hawaiians have led efforts to revitalize
their culture, language, and traditions across generations,
including--
(1) George Jarrett Helm, Jr., a musician and activist who,
as a founding member of the Protect Kaho`olawe `Ohana (which
celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Protect Kaho`olawe
movement in 2026), protested the United States military
bombing of Kaho`olawe Island and advocated for aloha `aina,
which translates to ``love of the land'';
(2) Edith Kenao Kanaka`ole, 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; and
(3) Mary Abigail Kawena`ulaok alaniahi`iakaikapoli
opelekawa hine`aihon uainaleilehuaapele Wiggin Pukui, co-
author of the Hawaiian Dictionary and a leading scholar of
Hawaiian language, customs, and oral traditions;
Whereas Native Hawaiians have made contributions to the
United States at all levels of the Federal Government and in
the Armed Forces, including--
(1) Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana`ole, elected as a delegate
to the United States House of Representatives from the
Territory of Hawai`i and the only royal-born member of the
United States Congress, who led the passage of the Hawaiian
Homes Commission Act, 1920 (42 Stat. 108);
(2) Senator Daniel Kahikina 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 Pilila`au and
Private First Class Anthony T. Kaho`ohanohano, Native
Hawaiians who received the Medal of Honor;
Whereas Native Hawaiians have achieved success in their
fields, including--
(1) Dr. 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; and
(2) Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola 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;
Whereas the State of Hawai`i has enacted legislation
recognizing September as Hawaiian History Month to promote
public awareness for Native Hawaiian history and culture;
Whereas today, there are over 680,000 Native Hawaiians
living across the country, with the highest concentration
living in Hawai`i, followed by California, Washington State,
Nevada, Texas, and Oregon;
Whereas Congress, over many decades, enacted hundreds of
statutes to promote health, education, housing, history, the
arts, and cultural preservation, recognizing and implementing
the special political and trust relationship with the Native
Hawaiian Community;
Whereas, in furtherance of the political and trust
relationship with the Native Hawaiian Community, Congress has
enacted annual appropriations bills to fund health,
education, housing, history, the arts, cultural preservation,
museums, libraries, and other programs;
Whereas, pursuant to the political and trust relationship,
Federal law recognizes the continued importance of ancestral
homelands for Native Hawaiians and sets aside such lands for
them; 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 advance reconciliation: Now, therefore be it
Resolved, That the Senate designates September 2026 as
``Hawaiian History Month''--
(1) to honor the history, culture, and contributions of
Native Hawaiians to the State of Hawai`i, the United States,
and worldwide;
(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;
(4) to encourage Federal agencies, educational
institutions, and civil society to observe Hawaiian History
Month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and educational
activities; and
(5) to call on Federal agencies to promote programs
established by Congress to recognize and implement the
special political and trust relationship with the Native
Hawaiian Community.
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