This House Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Education to help public high schools create foundations that provide scholarships and financial aid to graduates while also supporting the schools themselves. The bill directs the department to offer a statewide program that guides school foundation organizers through complex tasks like setting up nonprofit status, writing charters and bylaws, and managing finances and technology. It specifically aims to help schools that currently lack these foundations, building on earlier legislative efforts from 2012 that saw limited progress. The resolution clarifies that the Department of Education would assist with setup but would not oversee or manage the foundations once they are established.
This Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Transportation to fix and update its rules for the state Driver Education Program based on recommendations from a 2025 auditor report. The bill directs the department to address issues like missing curriculum certifications, inconsistent instructor training processes, and outdated administrative procedures that have caused confusion for students and instructors. It requires the department to submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2027 showing what changes have been made and how the program will be improved.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to implement a pilot program offering micro-credentials to licensed teachers in public and charter schools. The program, developed with the National Education Association and the Hawaii State Teachers Association, provides competency-based professional development where members attend at no cost and non-members pay a $75 fee. Key provisions require the Department to post the program on its professional development website, allow teachers to earn professional development credits upon completion, and have the Hawaii State Teachers Association assist with outreach and verification. The resolution also mandates that the Department submit a report to the Legislature by early 2027 detailing participation rates, educator feedback, and recommendations for future expansion.
This bill requests the Hawaii Departments of Land and Natural Resources and Education to create a permanent, statewide program for planting and maintaining trees on public school campuses. The initiative aims to address rising campus temperatures and improve equity by ensuring schools in lower-income areas receive adequate shade and cooling. Key provisions include establishing long-term funding, planning for tree maintenance, and selecting species that provide durable climate and health benefits. The resolution also supports creating dedicated staff positions to manage and sustain the collaborative effort.
This House Concurrent Resolution urges Hawaii state agencies to create a statewide peer counselor program for high school students to address youth loneliness and social disconnection. The program would involve trained student peer counselors who receive standardized instruction in active listening, ethical boundaries, and culturally responsive practices to foster peer connections and early identification of emotional distress. The Department of Education would lead implementation in collaboration with the Department of Health, Office of Wellness and Resilience, and Hawaii State Youth Commission, starting with pilot programs in select schools before statewide rollout. The resolution emphasizes face-to-face interaction, trust-building activities, and clear referral pathways to licensed mental health professionals while prioritizing culturally appropriate approaches for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students.
This bill urges the Hawaii Department of Education to officially recognize competitive cheerleading as a Title IX sport, which would grant high school cheer athletes the same resources and protections as other varsity sports. The resolution requests that the state education department develop guidelines and safety standards in collaboration with the Hawaii High School Athletic Association to meet federal criteria for classifying cheerleading as a sport. By doing so, the bill aims to ensure equitable access to certified coaching, athletic training, facilities, and transportation for female cheerleaders while promoting gender equity in school athletics. This is a non-binding resolution that calls for administrative action rather than creating new laws.
This Senate Resolution asks the Workforce Development Council to create a long-term statewide workforce strategy by 2045 that aims to help all residents find careers enabling them to learn, work, and thrive in Hawaii. The proposed strategy would be included in the State Unified Plan and would focus on improving work-based learning opportunities, expanding living-wage jobs, reducing underemployment, and strengthening partnerships between industries and education providers. It seeks to address concerns about high living costs and limited employment opportunities that have led many residents to consider leaving the state. The resolution directs the council to develop specific plans and measurable goals to guide state and county efforts toward these shared workforce objectives.
This House Resolution congratulates five educators in Hawaii who have been recognized for their achievements in 2025 and 2026. The bill formally acknowledges Matthew Brown as the 2025 Librarian of the Year, Jacquelyn McCandless as the 2025 Middle School Principal of the Year, Leka Anitema as a 2026 School Counselor of the Year national finalist, and Christopher Justo as the 2026 Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua Complex Area Teacher of the Year. The resolution also recognizes the 2026 Aiea-Moanalua-Radford Complex Area Teacher of the Year, though that individual is not named in the provided text. These individuals are being honored for their leadership and contributions to education and library services across Hawaii.
This House Resolution requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to expand financial literacy, credit readiness, and homeownership preparedness programs for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. The bill directs the department to partner with financial educators, credit counselors, and lenders to offer pre-award education, post-award support, culturally responsive materials, and grant identification. The department must submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2027 detailing program improvements, participant numbers, and outcomes related to lease stability and credit improvement. This measure focuses on administrative planning and program enhancement rather than creating new funding or changing existing laws.
This Senate Resolution requests the State Auditor to perform quarterly performance and management audits of the Department of Education and its related agencies. The bill aims to address concerns about the current internal audit structure by having an independent external auditor evaluate program effectiveness, leadership, federal fund usage, and school plans. These audits will rotate among different departments and must cover at least two performance and two management reviews each year. The Department of Education and its agencies are asked to use the audit results to adjust programs and resource allocation to better support student success and workforce preparation.
