This bill asks the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents to consider renaming Leeward Community College to Puʻuloa Community College. The proposal is based on Puʻuloa's deep cultural and historical significance to the local area, including its connection to traditional food production and Hawaiian stories. The resolution requests that the Board of Regents evaluate this name change to better reflect the campus's location and strengthen its cultural identity. If approved, the change would affect the institution's official name but does not alter its operations or funding.
This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Education to develop a plan for removing processed meats from school meals by 2032 or replacing them with healthier, minimally processed alternatives. The resolution directs the department to inventory current menus containing processed meats, establish a timeline for the transition, set nutritional standards for replacement options, and estimate associated costs and funding needs. It aims to improve student health by reducing exposure to carcinogens linked to processed meats like hot dogs, bacon, and deli meats, which are currently served in some school programs. The Department of Education must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.
This bill is a non-binding resolution that urges Hawaii's Department of Education to support academic flexibility for students with chronic and autoimmune illnesses. It directly affects students managing conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and type I diabetes, particularly those from Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities who face higher rates of these illnesses. The resolution asks the Department of Education to encourage schools to provide flexible attendance and assignment deadlines during medically documented illness flare-ups, promote consistent implementation of existing accommodations under Section 504, and improve coordination for students who need to travel off-island for specialized medical care. The bill relies on the Department's existing authority to issue guidance rather than creating new funding requirements.
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 bill requests the Hawaii Department of Education to create a standardized swimmer classification framework for public schools to improve water safety and equity. The resolution asks the department to adopt a specific system developed by Leahi Swim School and Na Kama Kai, which defines three proficiency levels: Swimmer, Water Safe Individual, and Water Smart Individual. Each level includes specific criteria such as swimming distances, treading water, stroke proficiency, and knowledge of ocean safety and environmental stewardship. The framework is intended to guide physical education, athletics, and enrichment programs by establishing clear benchmarks for student water competency.
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.
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 and Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to create a joint plan that connects local farmers with the new AINA Kitchen Network, a statewide system of regional kitchens designed to serve school meals. The resolution calls for the two agencies to work together with other partners to identify which crops and proteins the kitchens will need, assess current local production capacity, and develop strategies to help farmers scale up their operations. Key provisions of the requested plan include securing multi-year contracts to give farmers the stability needed to invest in infrastructure, providing technical assistance and workforce development, and ensuring supply meets the phased rollout of the kitchen network. The bill aims to address past procurement failures and funding gaps while supporting Hawaii's goal of sourcing 30% of school meal ingredients from local producers by 2030.
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 bill requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to expand and strengthen programs focused on financial literacy, credit readiness, and homeownership preparedness for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. The resolution asks the department to work with financial educators, credit counselors, and community partners to provide pre-award education, post-award support, culturally responsive materials, and to identify funding opportunities. The department is also asked to report back to the Legislature within 20 days of the 2027 session with details on program improvements, the number of people served, and measurable outcomes related to lease retention and credit improvement.
