Education

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 75: ENCOURAGING THE HAWAIʻI STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO WORK WITH THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN EDUCATION TO CREATE AND CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO ESTABLISH A K-12 HAWAIIAN IMMERSION CAMPUS IN WEST OʻAHU.

This bill encourages the Hawaii State Department of Education to collaborate with the Office of Hawaiian Education to form a working group that would explore creating a K-12 Hawaiian language immersion campus in West Oahu. The working group would meet quarterly for one year to develop a plan, including potential locations, enrollment estimates, governance structures, teacher recruitment strategies, and an implementation timeline targeting establishment by 2040. The group would consist of 15 members representing state education agencies, universities, community organizations, parents, and elected officials to ensure diverse input on the proposal.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill proposes creating a new K-12 Hawaiian immersion campus, expanding educational access and supporting language preservation programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Teachers

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HCR 195: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF AUDITOR'S REPORT NO. 26-08 REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HAWAII'S FARM-TO-SCHOOL AND LOCAL FOOD PROCUREMENT INITIATIVES.

This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Education to form a working group to address findings from an auditor's report on the state's farm-to-school and local food procurement programs. The working group will consist of up to seventeen members representing educators, farmers, distributors, nutrition professionals, and legislators to review challenges in meeting the goal of sourcing at least 10% of school meals from local producers. Key tasks include improving data collection on locally sourced food, streamlining procurement processes to better identify local products, and strengthening coordination between the education and agriculture sectors. The group must submit a report to the legislature by the end of 2026 with recommendations for policy changes or new legislation to support local food initiatives.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes working group to improve farm-to-school programs, enhancing student nutrition and local food access in schools, which supports educational programs and student wellness.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 99: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO STUDENTS ON HOW TO PREREGISTER TO VOTE BEFORE REACHING VOTING AGE.

This Senate Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Education to inform students aged sixteen and older about how to preregister to vote before they turn eighteen. The bill directs schools to provide specific guidance on voter eligibility, registration procedures, and opportunities to volunteer at voter service centers, while also making paper application forms and accessibility resources available. Additionally, it designates the last two weeks of September each year as a dedicated period for high schools to hold voter registration and preregistration events with election officials present. This measure aims to increase civic engagement among youth by making voting information more accessible within the school system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands student civic education programs and voting access, strengthening educational initiatives for high schoolers.75% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 65: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE FREE SCHOOL MEALS TO EVERY STUDENT ENROLLED IN A DEPARTMENT SCHOOL, REGARDLESS OF A STUDENT'S ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN A FEDERAL SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAM, BEGINNING WITH THE 2029-2030 SCHOOL YEAR.

This Senate Resolution asks Hawaii's Department of Education to offer free school meals to all students in state schools, regardless of their family's income or current eligibility for federal meal programs. The request specifically targets implementation starting in the 2029-2030 school year, building upon previous expansions that began in 2025-2026. The resolution does not authorize funding or mandate the program but serves as a formal request to the state education department to consider this universal meal provision. It is based on the premise that consistent access to nutritious food supports student health and academic performance.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands free school meals to all students, enhancing educational access and student support regardless of income eligibility.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 23, 2026

HCR 118: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN MENSTRUAL HEALTH EDUCATION INITIATIVES AND TO ADOPT A COMPREHENSIVE MENSTRUAL CYCLE CURRICULUM.

This bill urges the Hawaii Department of Education to strengthen menstrual health education in public schools and adopt a comprehensive curriculum covering menstrual cycles. It directly affects students, educators, and school administrators by recommending specific educational standards and resources. The resolution outlines five key requirements including age-appropriate content from third through twelfth grade, culturally responsive teaching methods, and the inclusion of hygiene, stigma reduction, and health information. It also calls for libraries to stock age-appropriate books and for teachers to use anatomically correct diagrams when teaching hygiene. The bill emphasizes creating an inclusive, positive learning environment that addresses menstrual dignity through privacy, inclusivity, access, and education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly urges strengthening menstrual health education and adopting comprehensive curriculum, directly expanding educational content and student health education programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens menstrual health education in schools, promoting health awareness and reducing stigma, which supports public health initiatives and patient education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Student Health

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HCR 58: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AND CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MILILANI ʻIKE ELEMENTARY STUDENTS USING SCHOOL CROSSWALKS.

This bill is a non-binding resolution urging the Department of Transportation, Department of Education, and City and County of Honolulu to improve safety at the crosswalk near Mililani ʻIke Elementary School where students cross Meheʻula Parkway and Kuaoʻa Street. The resolution requests specific safety measures including speed bumps, warning signage, and a solar-powered rapid flashing crosswalk sign to alert drivers of pedestrians. It cites concerns about high traffic volumes and previous near-miss incidents involving students in the area. As a concurrent resolution, it does not create new laws but formally asks state and local agencies to address the identified safety hazards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves school safety infrastructure protecting students, directly supporting educational access and student welfare85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill urges improvements to pedestrian safety infrastructure including speed bumps, signage, and crosswalk signals, directly enhancing transportation safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety School Transportation Pedestrian Safety

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Feb 10, 2026

GM 3: Letter dated February 5, 2026, recommending the immediate passage of the following Emergency Appropriation bills: H.B. No. 2271, S.B. No. 3090; H.B. No. 2272, S.B. No. 3091; H.B. No. 2273, S.B. No. 3092; H.B. No. 2274, S.B. No. 3093; H.B. No. 2275, S.B. No. 3094; H.B. No. 2310, S.B. No. 3129; H.B. No. 2340, S.B. No. 3160; and S.B. No. 2211.

This bill is a governor's recommendation (GM 3) for the immediate passage of multiple emergency appropriation bills. It directs the legislature to approve urgent funding for specific state programs, including Public Employment Cost Items (through H.B. 2271/S.B. 3090 and similar paired bills), Department of Human Services (H.B. 2310/S.B. 3129 and S.B. 2211), and the University of Hawai'i (H.B. 2340/S.B. 3160). The bills provide emergency funding to address immediate budget needs for these state departments and programs. As a procedural recommendation, it does not change policy but accelerates funding approval for existing urgent requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesGovernor's recommendation for emergency funding of state programs (Public Employment, DHS, UH) directly supports budget allocation through appropriation bills.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRecommends emergency funding for University of Hawai'i (H.B. 2340/S.B. 3160), directly advancing higher education funding under the Education topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 14: REQUESTING THE STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON INCREASING ACCESS TO STABLE, SUITABLE, AND AFFORDABLE FACILITIES FOR PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS.

This House Resolution (HR 14) requests the Hawaii Board of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to prepare a report addressing facility access challenges for public charter schools. The report must analyze why unused state facilities aren't being identified, propose policy changes to connect charters with available space (including underused public school buildings), and assess financing options like federal funds or bonds. It directly affects Hawaii's growing public charter school sector, which serves over 1,300 students but often operates in temporary or unstable facilities. The resolution requires the report to be submitted to the Legislature by early 2027, focusing on practical solutions rather than creating new laws.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates report to address facility access barriers for charter schools, directly supporting educational access expansion through infrastructure solutions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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in committee · Hawaii · House Apr 7, 2026

HR 17: EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS ADMISSIONS POLICY AND URGING THE HAWAII ATTORNEY GENERAL TO SUBMIT AN AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF TO DEFEND THE ADMISSIONS POLICY IN ANY FUTURE LAWSUIT.

HR 17 is a House Resolution expressing support for Kamehameha Schools' admissions policy, which prioritizes students of Native Hawaiian ancestry. It urges Hawaii's Attorney General to file an amicus brief defending this policy in any future lawsuits. The resolution states the policy is a remedy for historical injustices against Native Hawaiians, including the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, and clarifies that a recent Supreme Court ruling on university admissions does not apply to Kamehameha Schools as they are privately funded. This resolution has no legal effect but symbolically supports the school's policy and its cultural significance.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDefends Kamehameha Schools' admissions policy prioritizing Native Hawaiian students, protecting educational access as remedy for historical injustice against Native Hawaiians in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 11: REQUESTING THE STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON INCREASING ACCESS TO STABLE, SUITABLE, AND AFFORDABLE FACILITIES FOR PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS.

This House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 11) requests the Board of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to prepare a report addressing facility access challenges for Hawaii's public charter schools. The report must assess why unused state facilities haven't been identified for charter schools, propose policy changes to connect schools with underutilized spaces (including low-enrollment public schools), and evaluate financing options - such as tax-exempt bonds - to secure stable, suitable, and affordable facilities. The resolution directly affects Hawaii's growing charter school sector, which serves over 1,300 students and currently faces significant challenges operating in temporary or inadequate spaces.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequests report to improve facility access for charter schools, enhancing educational access and infrastructure through policy changes and financing options.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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