Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SR54

Introduced
3/10/22  

Caption

Urging The Board Of Education And Department Of Education To Change The Name Of President William Mckinley High School Back To Honolulu High School And Remove The Statue Of President Mckinley From The School Premises.

Impact

The bill attempts to rectify a long-standing issue surrounding the name and symbol of a school that is intertwined with Hawaii's colonial history. By renaming the school and removing the statue, the resolution seeks to promote a more inclusive educational environment that acknowledges the struggles and history of the Native Hawaiian people. Furthermore, it emphasizes the role of educational institutions in fostering historical understanding and racial equity. The Department of Education has begun to recognize the need for such changes, as evidenced by prior instances where racially insensitive names and symbols have been addressed in schools.

Summary

Senate Resolution 54 urges the Board of Education and the Department of Education of Hawaii to change the name of President William McKinley High School back to its original name, Honolulu High School, and to remove the statue of President McKinley from the school's premises. The resolution highlights the historical significance of the school, which was established in 1865 as Honolulu High School and renamed to honor McKinley in 1907 as part of a political strategy to assimilate Native Hawaiians into American culture. This change is positioned as a reconciling act aimed at addressing the historical injustices faced by Native Hawaiians due to colonial actions by the United States.

Contention

The main points of contention surrounding this resolution revolve around the legacy of President McKinley and the ongoing debate over how to handle historical symbols that are viewed as offensive or hurtful. Opponents may argue that renaming the school and removing the statue could be seen as erasing history, while supporters contend that this action is necessary for acknowledging and healing from past traumas inflicted upon Native Hawaiians. The resolution calls for the public school curriculum to include discussions on historical injustices, further sparking conversations about representation and acknowledgment in educational contexts.

Companion Bills

HI HR24

Same As Urging The Board Of Education And Department Of Education To Change The Name Of President William Mckinley High School Back To Honolulu High School And Remove The Statue Of President Mckinley From The School Premises.

HI SCR59

Same As Urging The Board Of Education And Department Of Education To Change The Name Of President William Mckinley High School Back To Honolulu High School And Remove The Statue Of President Mckinley From The School Premises.

Previously Filed As

HI SR26

Urging The Department Of Education To Implement A Hawaiian Language Requirement As Part Of The High School Graduation Requirements, Consistent With Existing English Graduation Requirements

HI HR217

Congratulating The 2024 Hawaii State Teacher Of The Year And The 2024 Teachers Of The Year For School Complex Areas In The Honolulu District, Leeward District, And Windward District.

HI HR45

Urging The Department Of Transportation And City And County Of Honolulu To Install Speed Bumps And Speed Limit Signage On The Portion Of Kapolei Parkway Between Kapolei High School And Kapolei Middle School.

HI SR78

Requesting The Board Of Education, In Partnership With The Department Of Education, To Produce A Plan For Adhering To School Counselor Best Practices.

HI HCR114

Urging The Department Of Education To Require Department Schools Statewide To Include Lessons Regarding Hawaiian Independence Day, L Kokoa.

HI HR95

Urging The Department Of Education To Require Department Schools Statewide To Include Lessons Regarding Hawaiian Independence Day, L Kokoa.

HI HCR129

Urging The Department Of Education To Require Students To Complete And Pass The Civics Portion Of The United States Citizenship Test In Order To Graduate From High School Or Obtain A High School Diploma.

HI HR110

Urging The Department Of Education To Require Students To Complete And Pass The Civics Portion Of The United States Citizenship Test In Order To Graduate From High School Or Obtain A High School Diploma.

HI SCR38

Urging The Department Of Education To Implement A Hawaiian Language Requirement As Part Of The High School Graduation Requirements, Consistent With Existing English Graduation Requirements

HI SR36

Urging The Department Of Law Enforcement, Fire Departments And Police Departments Of Each County, Humane Societies In Each County, And Media Organizations Throughout The State To Collaborate To Create And Disseminate Public Service Announcements To Highlight The Dangers Of, And Advocate Against The Use Of, Illegal Fireworks In Order To Protect The Health And Safety Of The Community, Pets, And Wildlife.

Similar Bills

HI HR24

Urging The Board Of Education And Department Of Education To Change The Name Of President William Mckinley High School Back To Honolulu High School And Remove The Statue Of President Mckinley From The School Premises.

HI HCR26

Urging The Board Of Education And Department Of Education To Change The Name Of President William Mckinley High School Back To Honolulu High School And Remove The Statue Of President Mckinley From The School Premises.

HI SCR59

Urging The Board Of Education And Department Of Education To Change The Name Of President William Mckinley High School Back To Honolulu High School And Remove The Statue Of President Mckinley From The School Premises.

HI HCR71

Urging The Superintendent Of Education To Request The Board Of Education To Honor Mckinley High School's 132 Fallen Soldiers By Safeguarding And Preserving The Name Of Mckinley High School.

HI HR64

Urging The Superintendent Of Education To Request The Board Of Education To Honor Mckinley High School's 132 Fallen Soldiers By Safeguarding And Preserving The Name Of Mckinley High School.

HI HR217

Congratulating The 2024 Hawaii State Teacher Of The Year And The 2024 Teachers Of The Year For School Complex Areas In The Honolulu District, Leeward District, And Windward District.

HI HR213

Congratulating The 2023 Hawaii State Teacher Of The Year And The 2023 Teachers Of The Year For School Complexes In The Leeward District And Honolulu District.

HI SB2688

Relating To Capital Improvement Projects For The Benefit Of The Twelfth Senatorial District.