Informing the Legislature that on July 13, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2877 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 244).

This bill establishes a two-year pilot program in Hawaii where elementary students in grades four through six research, write, and illustrate their own books. The initiative targets up to ten public schools in Kalihi and Nanakuli-Waianae, allowing teachers to choose topics related to Hawaiian culture, the local community, or personal stories. To support the program, the state will appropriate $50,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, provided that private sources contribute at least 25% of the funding. Participating schools will receive budgets to implement the project as part of their existing curriculum, and the Department of Education must submit a report to the legislature in 2029 evaluating the program's success and feasibility for expansion.