STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2099-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.C.R. No. 131

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 131, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP A FILIPINO HISTORY, CULTURE, AND IDENTITY SOCIAL STUDIES COURSE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Education to develop a Filipino history, culture, and identity social studies course for high school students.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Filipino Curriculum Project, Tinalak Filipino Education Council, Hawai‘i Friends of Civil Rights, and sixteen individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that in 2020, news reports indicated that anti-Asian hate crimes had increased by nearly one hundred fifty percent in the United States. Your Committee further finds that increased education and understanding of Asian American history and culture and the contributions of Asian Americans can reduce incidents of hostility, violence, and discrimination toward Asian Americans. Your Committee also finds that Filipinos are the largest Asian ethnic and non-white group in Hawaii, at more than twenty-five percent of the population, and have a large presence and cultural footprint in the State. Your Committee notes that there is currently no mandated curriculum regarding Asian American history in Hawaii schools and a lack of Filipino representation in the State's education system. Your Committee believes that developing a social studies course for high school students to learn about Filipino history, culture, and identity will promote positive racial relations and attitudes amongst all ethnic groups.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 131, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 131, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair