Education

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 2297: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Updates Hawaii's statutory framework for adult and community education programs to ensure alignment with federal funding requirements and current best practices in those programs. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates Hawaii's adult/community education framework to align with federal funding and best practices, enhancing program effectiveness and funding alignment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 2138: RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD STATE TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Authorizes the Adjutant General to expand the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to include graduate degrees at the University of Hawaii for qualified enlisted personnel in the Hawaii National Guard. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition assistance for graduate degrees at UH, increasing access to higher education funding for National Guard personnel.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tuition assistance to graduate degrees for Hawaii National Guard members, directly enhancing educational benefits for veterans as a subset of service members.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

passed · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2415: RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

HB 2415 appropriates state funds to the Department of Transportation for installing pedestrian safety improvements (like crosswalks or signage) at locations directly adjacent to school properties. It also directs the department to consider implementing similar safety measures at other high-risk sites beyond school areas. The bill would require the Department of Transportation to use these allocated funds for specific traffic safety projects, effective July 1, 3000. This policy change directly affects school communities and pedestrians near schools by directing state resources toward physical safety infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for DOT traffic safety projects, directly allocating budget resources to a public safety program.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill funds traffic safety improvements (crosswalks, signage) at school properties to enhance student safety and access, directly supporting school infrastructure and educational access per Safe Routes to School initiative.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill appropriates state funds for DOT to install pedestrian safety infrastructure (crosswalks/signage) at schools/high-risk sites, directly funding transportation safety projects to enhance infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

passed · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2436: RELATING TO ARTS INTEGRATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Establishes within the Department of Education arts integration coordinator or specialist positions to support fine arts education and arts integration in public schools statewide. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for arts integration coordinator positions in public schools, directly increasing state budget allocation for education programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates DOE arts integration positions and appropriates funds for fine arts education, directly advancing curriculum and program support in public schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2416: RELATING TO A MARITIME YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP PATHWAY PROGRAM.

Directs the University of Hawaii Community College System, in partnership with state agencies and maritime employers, to conduct a study and develop a plan for a statewide Maritime Youth Apprenticeship Pathway Program for individuals ages 16 to 24. Requires a report to the Legislature with recommendations on program structure, resource needs, proposed legislation and implementation options. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates funds for a Maritime Youth Apprenticeship Program at Honolulu Community College, expanding educational access and workforce development opportunities for youth 16-24, directly supporting education through new program funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2437: RELATING TO ARTS EDUCATION.

HB 2437 allocates state funds to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to support its "Artists in the Schools" program. This program directly brings professional artists into public schools to provide hands-on arts education. The bill provides concrete funding for the program's operations, including artist stipends and materials. It affects participating public schools and their students by expanding access to in-person arts instruction.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for arts education program, increasing public service funding under budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funds to expand in-person arts education access via Artists in the Schools program, directly funding artist stipends and materials for public schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2125: RELATING TO TEACHER LICENSING.

Allows the Department of Education and charter schools to hire unlicensed individuals as teachers on an emergency basis for five, rather than three, years. Requires that unlicensed teachers hired on an emergency basis make continuous and verifiable progress toward satisfying licensing requirements. Sunsets on 6/30/2031, but provides that unlicensed emergency hires employed before the sunset date may continue employment for up to five years from their hiring date, under certain conditions. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves 3-year limit for unlicensed teachers while requiring progress toward licensure, supporting teacher retention and professional development in education.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 114: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S INTERNAL AUDIT OFFICE TO CONDUCT SEMIANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND MANAGEMENT AUDITS OF THE DEPARTMENT AND ITS ATTACHED AGENCIES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the State Auditor to conduct quarterly performance and management audits of Hawaii's Department of Education and its attached agencies. The bill addresses concerns that the department's internal audit office has a conflict of interest because its director reports directly to the Superintendent, while the existing Audit Committee lacks authority to evaluate program effectiveness for student success. Under this resolution, the Auditor would rotate quarterly audits among different agencies and focus on academic performance, leadership structures, federal funding usage, and school plans. The Department of Education is urged to use these audit findings to evaluate programs and reallocate resources to improve student academic outcomes and workforce readiness.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens educational oversight by requesting independent audits of the Department of Education to improve accountability and program effectiveness for student success.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 195: REQUESTING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, TO REVISE PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS TO INCLUDE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A STANDALONE FINANCIAL LITERACY COURSE.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates financial literacy education for all high school students, expanding curriculum and improving student financial preparedness through dedicated coursework.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 78: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN MENSTRUAL HEALTH EDUCATION INITIATIVES AND TO ADOPT A COMPREHENSIVE MENSTRUAL CYCLE CURRICULUM.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges Hawaii's Department of Education to strengthen menstrual health education initiatives and adopt a comprehensive curriculum for public schools. The resolution calls for a curriculum built on four pillars of menstrual dignity: privacy, inclusivity, access, and education, while covering topics like hygiene, stigmas, and health challenges. It specifies age-appropriate goals for grades 5, 8, and 12, and requires elementary schools to include anatomically correct diagrams, age-appropriate books, and instruction on menstrual dignity. This non-binding resolution does not change existing laws but recommends specific educational standards to improve menstrual health education across the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly urges strengthening menstrual health education initiatives and adopting comprehensive curriculum, directly expanding educational access and student programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens menstrual health education and curriculum, improving health literacy and access to health information for students.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education