Education

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 14, 2026

HB 1891: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to implement dyslexia sensitive linguistically appropriate universal screenings and evidence-based interventions, offer professional development on structured literacy and evidenced-based interventions, and support pre-teacher programs in training candidates in structured literacy instruction. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires dyslexia screenings, teacher training, and funds evidence-based interventions, directly advancing K-12 literacy support through targeted funding and implementation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 14, 2026

HB 2338: RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROMISE PROGRAM.

Addresses the change in federal law regarding Pell Grants by amending the Hawaii Community College Promise Program (Hawaii Promise) to provide scholarships for ninety-five percent of a student's unmet direct cost need and exclude grants, scholarships, and other funding sources from the calculation of Hawaii Promise awards, thereby allowing students to apply such funds toward indirect costs, including housing, food, and other living expenses, to reduce financial barriers and support student success. Changes Hawaii Promise from being a last-dollar award. Authorizes Hawaii Promise to coordinate with federal student aid programs to maximize total financial assistance available to students. Effective 7/1/2026. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends Hawaii Promise to allow grants for living expenses, reducing financial barriers and supporting student success in higher education.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allows student aid to cover housing costs as allowable indirect expenses, reducing financial barriers for housing through Hawaii Promise Program adjustments.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 14, 2026

SB 2877: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a two-year Student-Authored Book Publication Pilot Program. Authorizes the Pilot Program to be conducted for fourth, fifth, and sixth graders at up to five Kalihi public elementary schools and up to five Nanakuli-Waianae public elementary schools to be integrated into existing curricula. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for a new education pilot program, directly funding a public service initiative per budget & taxes topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for a student book publication pilot program, expanding K-12 creative learning opportunities at public elementary schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 1870: RELATING TO PROTECTED COMMUNITY LOCATIONS.

By 1/1/2027, requires all state and county agencies that operate protected community locations to adopt and post written policies that identify nonpublic areas, establish procedures for warrant verification and staff response, prohibit the collection of certain immigration-status data, and require annual staff training and certain multilingual notices. Requires the Attorney General to publish model policies. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts law enforcement participation in civil immigration enforcement near community services (schools, health care, shelters), promoting trust and access to essential services while aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing ...85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill designates schools as protected community locations to limit immigration enforcement, ensuring safe access to education and protecting students/staff from disruption in educational settings.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects healthcare facilities from immigration enforcement, ensuring access to services without fear of deportation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects shelters (housing services) from immigration enforcement, ensuring access to housing for vulnerable populations in protected community locations.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill limits state/local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement near protected community locations (schools, health facilities), safeguarding immigrant access to essential services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 2802: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates funds to establish a bachelor's degree program in agricultural science at the University of Hawaii-West Oahu; to fund one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position; and for supplies and equipment to support the programs. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates funds for new education bachelor's programs and staff at Leeward CC, directly advancing educational access and program development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 2171: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

HB 2171 authorizes the University of Hawaii to engage in business-like activities for educational purposes, directly affecting the university's ability to operate revenue-generating projects tied to student learning. The bill permits UH to run ventures such as student-run businesses, research commercialization, or educational services that generate income while supporting academic goals. Key provisions remove legal barriers preventing the university from conducting these activities under its existing educational mission. This change allows UH to expand practical learning opportunities without requiring separate legislative approvals for each initiative.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes UH to run revenue-generating educational ventures (e.g., student businesses, research commercialization), removing barriers to fund academic goals and strengthen higher education operations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

passed · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2436: RELATING TO ARTS INTEGRATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Establishes within the Department of Education arts integration coordinator or specialist positions to support fine arts education and arts integration in public schools statewide. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for arts integration coordinator positions in public schools, directly increasing state budget allocation for education programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates DOE arts integration positions and appropriates funds for fine arts education, directly advancing curriculum and program support in public schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2437: RELATING TO ARTS EDUCATION.

HB 2437 allocates state funds to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to support its "Artists in the Schools" program. This program directly brings professional artists into public schools to provide hands-on arts education. The bill provides concrete funding for the program's operations, including artist stipends and materials. It affects participating public schools and their students by expanding access to in-person arts instruction.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for arts education program, increasing public service funding under budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funds to expand in-person arts education access via Artists in the Schools program, directly funding artist stipends and materials for public schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 78: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN MENSTRUAL HEALTH EDUCATION INITIATIVES AND TO ADOPT A COMPREHENSIVE MENSTRUAL CYCLE CURRICULUM.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges Hawaii's Department of Education to strengthen menstrual health education initiatives and adopt a comprehensive curriculum for public schools. The resolution calls for a curriculum built on four pillars of menstrual dignity: privacy, inclusivity, access, and education, while covering topics like hygiene, stigmas, and health challenges. It specifies age-appropriate goals for grades 5, 8, and 12, and requires elementary schools to include anatomically correct diagrams, age-appropriate books, and instruction on menstrual dignity. This non-binding resolution does not change existing laws but recommends specific educational standards to improve menstrual health education across the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly urges strengthening menstrual health education initiatives and adopting comprehensive curriculum, directly expanding educational access and student programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens menstrual health education and curriculum, improving health literacy and access to health information for students.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 1605: RELATING TO HUMAN AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience for the development of its human and community resilience institute. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates funds for a University of Hawaii institute (higher education), directly funding institutional development within the education sector.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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