Education

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 52: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO REQUIRE ONE YEAR OF HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION AS A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

This bill is a Senate Concurrent Resolution that requests the Hawaii Department of Education to make one year of Hawaiian language instruction a mandatory graduation requirement for all public school students. The resolution is based on the state's constitutional designation of Hawaiian as an official language and aims to support language revitalization efforts that have previously helped increase fluent speakers. It does not change existing law directly but formally asks the Department of Education to implement this new requirement as part of its graduation standards. The measure would affect all public high school students in Hawaii by making Hawaiian language study compulsory for graduation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates Hawaiian language instruction to strengthen cultural education and language revitalization, expanding educational programs and access to heritage language learning.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 153: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONVENE A SHARED DECISION MAKING COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP AN ACTION PLAN TO ESTABLISH A K-12 KAIAPUNI SCHOOL IN KAPOLEI.

This Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to create a committee to plan a new K-12 Hawaiian language immersion school in Kapolei. The bill addresses the current lack of a full K-12 Kaiapuni school in the area, where students must commute to Honolulu for higher grades. The proposed committee would include educators, community members, parents, and administrators to develop an action plan covering facility planning, teacher recruitment, and curriculum development. The plan aims to phase in the school by the 2027-2028 school year, starting with kindergarten through second grade, with additional grades added in subsequent years.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill proposes establishing a new K-12 Hawaiian language immersion school, expanding educational access and infrastructure in Kapolei95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 187: SUPPORTING THE REQUEST BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA FACULTY SENATE FOR A COMMITMENT FROM UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII LEADERS TO REMAIN STEADFAST IN VIGOROUSLY DEFENDING ANY AND ALL STUDENTS, FACULTY, OR STAFF WHO MAY BE ATTACKED FOR EXERCISING THEIR RIGHTS TO ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND FREE SPEECH.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution expresses support for the University of Hawaii at Manoa Faculty Senate's request that university leaders commit to defending students, faculty, and staff who exercise their rights to academic freedom and free speech. The measure responds to concerns that proposed revisions to the university's expressive activities policies could restrict speech and create an antagonistic relationship between administration and the campus community. By formally endorsing the Faculty Senate's opposition to these policy changes, the resolution aims to encourage university leadership to maintain protections for academic expression rather than imposing new limitations. The document is a symbolic gesture that does not alter existing laws but signals legislative backing for the faculty's position on free speech and academic freedom.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill defends academic freedom and free speech rights for students, faculty, and staff at University of Hawaii, protecting educational expression and institutional autonomy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 187: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO BEGIN INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS TEACHER RETENTION IN THE STATE.

This bill urges the Hawaii Department of Education to start initiatives aimed at reducing teacher turnover in the state. It directly affects the state's education system by calling for research into why teachers leave, particularly focusing on issues like low salaries, housing costs, and challenges in rural areas. The resolution requests the department to create an advisory board with educators, students, and community members to recommend retention strategies and encourages ongoing recognition efforts for teachers. This is a non-binding concurrent resolution that serves as a formal recommendation rather than a law with mandatory requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly supports teacher retention through research, advisory board creation, and addressing retention challenges like low salaries and housing costs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill addresses teacher retention by investigating salary and housing issues, aiming to improve working conditions for educators.75% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Teachers

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 108: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE DETAILING FARM-TO-SCHOOL IMPLEMENTATION, LOCAL FOOD PROCUREMENT, REGIONAL KITCHEN ALIGNMENT, AND FEDERAL FARM-TO-SCHOOL GRANT PARTICIPATION.

This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Education to submit a report to the Legislature on its farm-to-school program and local food procurement efforts. The report must detail current purchasing levels, how school meal operations align with regional kitchen infrastructure, and any barriers preventing local farmers from participating. It also asks for information on federal grant participation and recommendations for improving procurement policies to better support local agriculture. The Department of Education is the primary target, as it is the state's largest institutional food buyer and plays a central role in these initiatives.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill seeks to enhance farm-to-school programs and local food procurement, improving student nutrition and supporting local agriculture within schools75% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 135: 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 Senate Concurrent Resolution 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 include representatives from education, agriculture, food distribution, schools, and community organizations to review challenges such as data collection issues and coordination gaps. The group will develop strategies to improve local food purchasing in schools, enhance supply chains, and strengthen collaboration between schools and local farmers. The Department of Education will submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes working group to improve farm-to-school programs, enhancing nutrition and local food access in schools75% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HR 71: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESILIENCE TO SUPPORT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S SECONDARY AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION PROGRAM AND THE FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA PROGRAM.

This bill requests that the Hawaii Department of Education and the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience support the state's Secondary Agricultural Education Program and the Future Farmers of America program. The resolution aims to strengthen agricultural education in Hawaii's high schools to help address the state's food security concerns and declining agricultural workforce. It proposes employing an extension agent at the university to provide professional development and connect agricultural best practices to local schools. The bill focuses on restoring and expanding these programs through targeted support rather than creating new funding or policy mandates.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly requests funding and support for secondary agricultural education programs and FFA, strengthening educational initiatives in Hawaii schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Tags Agriculture

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 8, 2026

HR 63: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CORRECT, UPDATE, AND COMPLETE ITS ADMINISTRATIVE RULES GOVERNING THE DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM AS RECOMMENDED BY THE AUDITOR'S REPORT NO. 25‑06.

This House Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Transportation to fix and update its administrative rules for the Driver Education Program based on recommendations from an auditor's report. The bill directly affects driver education instructors, schools, and students by addressing issues like outdated curriculum certification and inconsistent oversight that have existed for over twenty years. The Department must establish task forces to certify required curricula, develop clear policies and procedures, and submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2027. This action aims to bring the program into compliance with existing laws and ensure consistent standards across the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves driver education program by updating rules and curriculum, directly benefiting students and educational access in K-12 settings.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens driver education program oversight and safety standards, directly supporting transportation safety and infrastructure governance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Driver Licensing

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 33: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LITERACY CURRICULA PLANS AND PROGRAMS FOR USE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to create artificial intelligence literacy curricula and programs for public schools. The bill aims to address the growing use of AI tools by students while ensuring they receive formal instruction on how to use these technologies responsibly and effectively. Key provisions include defining AI concepts, teaching ethical considerations, and incorporating local context related to Hawaii's history and culture. The Department of Education must submit the developed curriculum plans to the Legislature at least twenty days before the 2027 Regular Session begins.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates development of AI literacy curricula to enhance student education and prepare them for modern technology use95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes AI literacy education in public schools, advancing technology understanding and responsible use among students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Artificial Intelligence

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HCR 176: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES REGARDING THE STORAGE AND ADMINISTRATION OF ORAL ANTIHISTAMINES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Education to create clear policies for storing and administering oral antihistamines in public schools. It directly affects students with allergies, school staff, and parents by establishing a framework for managing mild allergic reactions during the school day. The key provisions require schools to have written parental consent, individualized physician-approved allergy plans, and trained personnel who can recognize allergy symptoms and properly administer the medication. The resolution also asks the Department to develop standardized forms for consent and protocols, and to report back to the Legislature within 20 days of the 2027 session with findings and any proposed legislation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes safety protocols for students with allergies, enhancing student health and educational access by ensuring proper medication management in schools.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes policies for administering allergy medication in schools, improving student health safety and access to necessary medical care.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

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