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.

SCR 17 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Education to mandate teaching pre-1959 Hawaiian history from an Indigenous perspective across all public school social studies classes starting in the 2027-2028 school year. It directly affects Hawaii public schools and students, requiring curriculum changes to include key historical events like the Hawaiian Kingdom's governance, the 1893 overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani, and pre-annexation history. The resolution specifies that the Department of Education must collaborate with Native Hawaiian educators and cultural practitioners to develop curriculum standards, approved materials, and teacher training. This is a procedural resolution (not a law) that formally requests the Department of Education take these steps to align with Hawaii's constitutional obligation to promote Hawaiian culture and history.