This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Education to work together on a permanent program to increase tree coverage at public schools across the state. The initiative aims to address heat exposure and improve outdoor learning opportunities, with special attention to ensuring equitable tree distribution in lower-income and Title I schools that currently have less shade. The program would include long-term tree maintenance, strategic species selection, and the creation of dedicated staff positions to sustain the effort. It builds on existing pilot programs like Shade Trees for Schools and Fruit Trees for Schools, which have shown positive results but have been limited by short-term funding.
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.
HCR 13 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to collaborate with the Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to develop a student-led Coral Stewardship Program. The program would focus on educating students and the public about reef-safe sunscreen practices (avoiding chemicals like oxybenzone) at state beaches, using student volunteers for outreach and educational materials. It emphasizes voluntary, non-enforcement activities informed by scientific research, building on existing efforts like Act 104 (2018), which restricted harmful sunscreens. DLNR must report to the Legislature by 2027 on collaborative efforts and any needed policy recommendations.
This House Resolution asks the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to review and update the specific roles and missions of the system's four-year campuses. The request aims to ensure each campus has a clear, non-overlapping purpose that better serves students and the state's needs. The resolution directs the Board to consider workforce demands, student access, geographic coverage, and resource efficiency during this review. The Board must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by twenty days before the 2027 Regular Session begins. This document is a formal request rather than a law, as it relies on the Board of Regents' existing authority to manage university operations.
This bill is a House Resolution that urges Hawaii's Department of Education to enhance menstrual health education in public schools. It directly affects students, educators, and school administrators by calling for the development of a comprehensive curriculum covering menstrual cycles, hygiene, and related health topics. The resolution specifies that the curriculum should be age-appropriate for grades three through twelve, include culturally responsive and inclusive content, and avoid fear-based or shame-based teaching methods. Additionally, it recommends providing age-appropriate books, anatomically correct diagrams, and ensuring materials are available in multiple languages to support diverse student needs.
This House Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Education to create a committee to plan a new K-12 Hawaiian language immersion school in Kapolei. The committee would include education officials, teachers, community members, and parents to develop an action plan that addresses facility needs, teacher recruitment, and curriculum development. The resolution outlines a phased timeline to open kindergarten through second grade by the 2027-2028 school year, with additional grades added in subsequent years. It also requests that the Department of Education allocate initial faculty and administrative positions to support the program's launch.
This House Resolution urges Hawaii state agencies to create a statewide peer counselor program for high school students to address loneliness and social disconnection. The proposed program would involve collaboration between the Department of Education, Department of Health, and Office of Wellness and Resilience to train students in active listening, ethical boundaries, and culturally responsive practices. Student peer counselors would serve as trained points of connection within schools, promoting belonging and helping identify students experiencing isolation while referring them to licensed mental health professionals when needed. The resolution recommends implementing the program in phases starting with pilot programs in select schools and includes the Hawaii State Youth Commission in program development and evaluation.
This House Resolution asks the University of Hawaii to create a specific academic pathway for Olelo Niihau, the distinct dialect of Hawaiian spoken on Niihau Island. The bill recognizes that this dialect has remained unique due to the island's isolation and requests the university to formally acknowledge it as a separate language track rather than grouping it under standard Hawaiian language programs. By directing a copy of the resolution to the university president, the legislature seeks to ensure that Niihau speakers receive education that respects their specific linguistic heritage and protects their dialect from being diluted by external language initiatives.
This bill is a non-binding request asking the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents to consider renaming Leeward Community College to Puʻuloa Community College. The proposal aims to reflect the cultural and historical significance of the Puʻuloa area on Oʻahu, which is known for its traditional fishponds and deep Hawaiian heritage. If adopted, the change would require official approval from the Board of Regents, which has authority over university operations, and would involve consulting with campus stakeholders and the broader community. The resolution does not mandate the name change but formally encourages the Board to evaluate the request as part of its decision-making process.
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.
