HouseH.Res. 1590119th Congress
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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[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.
_______________________________________________________________________
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
_______________________________________________________________________
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.
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