Hawaii SR15: 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.

What the bill says

From the introduced text:

THE SENATE S.R. NO. THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 STATE OF HAWAII JAN 2 8 202S SENATE RESOLUTION 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. WHEREAS, Article X, Section 4 of the Constitution of the State of Hawai'i mandates that "the State shall promote the study of Hawaiian culture, history and language," thereby affirming its obligation to center Hawaiian language and culture within the public education system; and WHEREAS, the current social studies curriculum in Hawai'i public schools disproportionately emphasizes post-statehood events and fails to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of pre-1959 Hawaiian history, including the Hawaiian Kingdom's sophisticated systems of governance, land tenure, education, and diplomacy; and WHEREAS, a truthful and inclusive education must acknowledge pivotal moments in Hawaiian history such as the unification of the islands under Kamehameha I, the establishment of a constitutional monarchy, the 1893 overthrow of Queen Lili'uokalani, and the annexation by the United States; and WHEREAS, the continued omission or marginalization of 'diwi perspectives in education perpetuates historical erasure, contributes to cultural and identity loss, and undermines the academic and social confidence of Native Hawaiian students; and WHEREAS, 'ciiwi education frameworks grounded in mo'oku'auhau (genealogy), mo'olelo (oral traditions), mele …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Samantha DeCorte (R, 22) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. February 13, 2026: Referred to EDU/HWN.
2. January 28, 2026: Offered.

Common questions

What is SR15?

SR15 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): 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.

What is the status of SR15?

In committee as of February 13, 2026. Latest action: Referred to EDU/HWN. (February 13, 2026).

Who sponsored SR15?

Samantha DeCorte (R, 22).

Where is the official record for SR15?

On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SR&billnumber=15&year=2026