URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO SUPPORT EXPANDED COMMUNITY ACCESS TO OUTDOOR PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES AND GROUNDS DURING NON-SCHOOL HOURS.

This bill urges the Hawaii Department of Education to allow local communities to use outdoor school facilities like playgrounds and sports fields during non-school hours, including weekends. It aims to increase access to safe recreational spaces for residents, particularly in areas where parks are scarce, by encouraging schools to share their grounds with the public. The resolution asks the department to explore ways to facilitate this shared use while ensuring it does not interfere with regular school operations. It also calls for the department to engage with community stakeholders to develop practical plans for expanding access to these public resources.