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SCR 17

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO MANDATE THE TEACHING OF PRE-1959 HAWAIIAN HISTORY FROM AN INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVE, BEGINNING NO LATER THAN SCHOOL YEAR 2027-2028, ACROSS ALL GRADE LEVELS WHERE SOCIAL STUDIES IS TAUGHT.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Samantha DeCorte

Hawaii urges schools to teach pre-1959 Hawaiian history from indigenous perspectives in all grade-level social studies by 2027-2028.

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#departmentofeducation #hawaiianstudiescurriculum
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Bill Summary · SCR 17

Legislative bill overview

SCR 17 is a concurrent resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Education to incorporate pre-1959 Hawaiian history taught from an indigenous perspective into all social studies curricula across grade levels by the 2027-2028 school year. The bill does not create binding law but expresses legislative intent and requests action from the education agency.

Why is this important

Hawaii's historical narrative in schools has traditionally centered on Western perspectives and colonization, potentially marginalizing Native Hawaiian voices and understanding of their own cultural heritage. Incorporating indigenous-perspective history education could improve cultural competency, enhance Native Hawaiian student engagement and achievement, and provide all students with a more complete historical record of Hawaii's pre-contact civilization and the circumstances of Western contact.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs and timelines: Schools may lack existing curriculum materials, teacher training, and funding to develop and implement comprehensive indigenous-perspective content by 2027-2028, raising questions about feasibility and resource allocation
  • Curriculum authority and standards: Concerns about whether a legislative resolution appropriately directs educational content decisions typically handled by education professionals, and how this fits within broader state educational standards
  • Definition and interpretation: "Indigenous perspective" is not precisely defined, potentially creating ambiguity about what content qualifies and who determines appropriate framing of historical events

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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