Expressing support for the designation of 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.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H. Res. 1590 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1590

Expressing support for the designation of 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.

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 28, 2026

Ms. Tokuda (for herself and Mr. Case) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

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RESOLUTION

Expressing support for the designation of 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.

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, 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 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`ulaokalaniahi`iakaikapoliopelekawahine`aihonuainaleilehuaapele 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, 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, cultural preservation, and other programs; Whereas the Institute of Museum and Library Services provides Federal support to document, protect, and share the history, culture, and contributions of Native Hawaiians through the Native American/Hawaiian Museum Services and the Native Hawaiian Library Services programs; Whereas the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities provide Federal support for Native Hawaiian artists, cultural practitioners, museums, and community-based organizations working to preserve and perpetuate the history, culture, and contributions of Native Hawaiians; Whereas the Trump administration, during its second term, has taken actions that threaten Federal resources supporting Native Hawaiian history, culture, and the arts, including--

(1) issuing Executive Order 14238, entitled ``Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy,'' directing significant reductions at the Institute of Museum and Library Services; and

(2) proposing, in the President's fiscal year 2027 budget, to close the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the National Endowment for the Humanities, and cut funding for the National Endowment for the Arts;

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 House of Representatives expresses support for the designation of ``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. <all>