This bill, signed into law by the Governor of Hawaii on July 13, 2026, authorizes the state Department of Education to award high school diplomas to specific individuals who missed earning one due to military service or wartime disruptions. It expands eligibility beyond the previous law to include those who served in the armed forces during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War, as well as those whose education was interrupted by wartime practices during those same conflicts. To receive a diploma, eligible applicants must submit the required forms to the department proving they were residents of Hawaii at the time and did not complete their high school curriculum. This change updates existing statutes to recognize the educational contributions of veterans and affected individuals from three major 20th-century wars.
This bill establishes a two-year pilot program in Hawaii where elementary students in grades four through six research, write, and illustrate their own books. The initiative targets up to ten public schools in Kalihi and Nanakuli-Waianae, allowing teachers to choose topics related to Hawaiian culture, the local community, or personal stories. To support the program, the state will appropriate $50,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, provided that private sources contribute at least 25% of the funding. Participating schools will receive budgets to implement the project as part of their existing curriculum, and the Department of Education must submit a report to the legislature in 2029 evaluating the program's success and feasibility for expansion.
This bill requests the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to conduct a study on Hawaii's food manufacturing strengths and identify strategic export markets for high-value local products. The study will analyze competitive advantages, calculate minimum profit margins needed to offset Hawaii's high operational costs, and assess logistical barriers to international trade. It also directs the University of Hawaii to update its food innovation curriculum to teach entrepreneurs how to engineer products specifically for premium export markets. Additionally, the bill asks state agencies to collaborate on integrating study findings into existing workforce development programs and to propose policy changes that prioritize funding for businesses manufacturing identified high-value products.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests that Hawaii's Board of Education work with the Department of Education to change public high school graduation requirements so that students must complete a standalone financial literacy course. The bill addresses concerns that the current approach, which allows financial literacy to be integrated into other courses or the Personal Transition Plan, may not provide sufficient dedicated instruction and accountability. It proposes specific implementation steps including teacher professional development, funding identification, student completion tracking, and a curriculum based on community input. The resolution is based on evidence showing declining financial literacy among younger generations and the benefits of dedicated financial education for post-secondary success.
This bill urges Hawaii's Department of Education to work with teachers to create an artificial intelligence literacy curriculum for students in grades six through twelve. The resolution recommends that the curriculum be developed using peer-reviewed research, global AI literacy frameworks, and existing Hawaii-based programs, with a focus on ethical AI use, equitable access for all students, and regular assessments of student progress. It also requests that the curriculum be updated regularly to keep pace with evolving technology and social norms. As a concurrent resolution, this measure does not change law directly but serves as a formal recommendation to state education officials.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Transportation to fix and update its administrative rules for the Driver Education Program based on recommendations from a state auditor's report. The bill directly affects driver education instructors, students, and the department itself by addressing issues like outdated curriculum certification and inconsistent oversight. It requires the department to establish task forces, certify required curricula, and create clear policies within a set timeframe, then report progress to the legislature before the 2027 session. The resolution does not change laws or create new programs but instead directs the department to follow its own existing rules and improve how it manages driver education standards.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Education to add tax instruction to the state's financial literacy graduation requirement for public school students. The bill recommends that tax education cover practical topics such as completing a 1040 tax form, understanding W-4 forms, payroll deductions, and federal versus state income taxes. While the resolution does not mandate changes, it formally requests that the Department of Education incorporate tax literacy as a major topic area alongside existing financial education standards. The measure is intended to ensure students gain comprehensive knowledge about personal finances, including tax responsibilities, before graduating from high school.
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 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.
