A resolution designating February 2026 as "Hawaiian Language Month" or "Olelo Hawai'i Month".

Key Points

• This resolution officially names February 2026 as 'Hawaiian Language Month.' It encourages people and groups across the country to celebrate the Native Hawaiian language, which is also called 'Olelo Hawai'i, through special activities and programs.
• The resolution recognizes the difficult history of the language. In 1896, a law banned the use of the Hawaiian language in schools, and children were even punished for speaking it. This caused the language to almost disappear, with fewer than 50 fluent speakers under age 18 left by the 1980s.
• It highlights the successful work of the Native Hawaiian community to bring the language back. Since the 1960s, they have built immersion preschools and college programs. Today, Hawaii is the only state with two official languages, one of which is Hawaiian.
• By passing this, the Senate recommits to federal policies that protect the rights of Native Americans and Native Hawaiians to use and grow their traditional languages. It also supports ongoing grants that help schools teach these languages to new generations.

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