Hawaii Senate Bill SR54

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/22
• Refer: 3/11/22

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.