HCR 54 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI BOARD OF REGENTS TO CONSIDER RENAMING LEEWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO PUʻULOA COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

This bill asks the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents to consider renaming Leeward Community College to Puʻuloa Community College. The proposal is based on Puʻuloa's deep cultural and historical significance to the local area, including its connection to traditional food production and Hawaiian stories. The resolution requests that the Board of Regents evaluate this name change to better reflect the campus's location and strengthen its cultural identity. If approved, the change would affect the institution's official name but does not alter its operations or funding.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 12, 2026 Last action Apr 10, 2026

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What changed between versions

HCR54 → HCR54_HD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated from a House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) to a House Bill (HB) format, indicating a shift from a non-binding resolution to a potential legislative act. The text was reformatted for clarity, with 'WHEREAS' clauses broken into separate lines and the request to rename Leeward Community College to Puʻuloa Community College expanded with more detailed historical context regarding local food production and resource management.

Scope change

The scope of the document changed from a non-binding concurrent resolution to a formal bill structure, though the substantive request to rename the college remains the same.

TECHNICAL

The document title and metadata were updated to reflect a House Bill (HB) instead of a House Concurrent Resolution (HCR), changing the procedural nature of the document.

Formatting was improved by breaking long 'WHEREAS' clauses into multiple lines for better readability.

The list of recipients for the certified copies was updated to include the President of the University of Hawaiʻi and the Chancellor of Leeward Community College.

SCOPE

The justification for the name change was expanded to include specific details about traditional loko iʻa (fishponds) and their role in sustaining communities through food production and resource management.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 10, 2026

Committee

Referred to EDU, JDC.

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 544).

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Adopted as amended in HD 1 with Representative(s) Garcia, Gedeon, Shimizu voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1).

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1894-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending adoption.

lower

Apr 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Takayama; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Garcia, Shimizu; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Sayama, Cochran.

lower

Mar 31, 2026

Lower · Passed

Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Nakamura, Perruso excused (2).

lower

Mar 31, 2026

Committee

Reported from HED (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1566-26), recommending referral to JHA.

lower

Mar 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on HED recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Garrett, Amato, Kapela, Kila, La Chica, Olds, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 3 Excused: Representative(s) Evslin, Woodson, Muraoka.

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Committee

Referred to HED, JHA, referral sheet 18

lower

Mar 16, 2026

Introduced

Offered

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Introduced

To be offered.

lower

7 primary · 0 co-sponsors