Summary

Recognizes the historical suppression of the Hawaiian language and documents the grassroots revitalization efforts led by Native Hawaiians since the 1960s. Notes that a Republic of Hawai‘i law from 1896 effectively banned Hawaiian language instruction in schools and that the language was nearly extinct among youth by the 1980s. Notes that community-driven revival efforts inspired broader Native language policy reforms, including the Native American Language Resource Center Act of 2022 (20 U.S.C. § 7457) enacted in 2023; the resolution is a statement of historical facts and recognition rather than a funding or regulatory change.

Key Points

• Affirms that an 1896 Republic of Hawai‘i law effectively banned school instruction in Hawaiian, contributing to dramatic language decline.
• States that by the 1980s there were fewer than 50 fluent Hawaiian speakers under age 18.
• Recognizes grassroots revitalization efforts led by Native Hawaiians beginning in the 1960s.
• Connects community revival work to later systemic Native language policy reforms at the federal level.
• Specifically cites the Native American Language Resource Center Act of 2022 (20 U.S.C. § 7457) enacted in 2023 as an outcome influenced by the movement.
• Is primarily a historical acknowledgement and does not authorize spending or create new legal mandates.
• Elevates the role of community-led education and cultural initiatives in reversing language decline.

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