Education

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 1605: RELATING TO HUMAN AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience for the development of its human and community resilience institute. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates funds for a University of Hawaii institute (higher education), directly funding institutional development within the education sector.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 27, 2026

HCR 166: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO IDENTIFY STATE LANDS IN EAST OAHU SUITABLE FOR THE PLANTING OF NATIVE HAWAIIAN TREES.

This House Concurrent Resolution requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources to identify state-owned lands in East Oahu suitable for planting native Hawaiian trees, including the culturally significant milo tree. The measure directs the department to consider opportunities for schools, community groups, and youth participants while preparing a report with potential locations and implementation considerations for the Legislature by the end of 2026. The resolution also mandates sending copies to the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the department director, and the principal of Hahaione Elementary School, which was the source of the original idea.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill directs state lands to be identified for planting native trees with explicit consideration for schools, community groups, and youth participants, enhancing educational and environmental programs.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes planting native Hawaiian trees to restore natural habitats and conserve biodiversity, directly supporting environmental protection and conservation efforts.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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signed · Hawaii · House Apr 24, 2026

HCR 43: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO INSTALL RAISED CROSSWALKS AT THE UNIVERSITY AVENUE, LAUIKI STREET, AND KAMOKU STREET INTERSECTIONS WITH HIHIWAI STREET TO IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY NEAR ALA WAI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.

This bill urges the Honolulu Department of Transportation Services to install raised crosswalks at three specific intersections with Hihiwai Street to enhance pedestrian safety near Ala Wai Elementary School. The proposed changes target University Avenue, Lauiki Street, and Kamoku Street, where current traffic controls are considered insufficient for high volumes of pedestrians including students and families. Raised crosswalks would physically slow vehicles and improve visibility for drivers, addressing safety concerns at these busy residential intersections. The resolution directs copies to city officials and school leaders to facilitate the implementation of these traffic calming measures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves pedestrian safety near elementary school, directly supporting student safety and educational access75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly advocates for installing raised crosswalks to improve pedestrian safety and traffic control at specific intersections, directly enhancing transportation infrastructure and safety standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 2567: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

HB 2567 establishes a dedicated Early Childhood Education Investment Special Fund to finance early childhood education programs. The bill appropriates state funds into this special account, ensuring dedicated budgeting for eligible early childhood services. This fund will be managed by the state government to support programs serving young children, though specific eligibility criteria aren't detailed in the abstract. The bill passed its first reading in January 2026 and is now under review by education and finance committees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates dedicated state fund for early childhood education via appropriations, directly funding public services through fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates dedicated Early Childhood Education Investment Special Fund with state appropriations, directly advancing educational access and funding for young children's programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 2005: RELATING TO LANGUAGE ACCESS.

HB 2005 establishes a statewide language access education and workforce development program at the University of Hawaii, funded through state appropriations. The program aims to train workers in language access services, directly impacting the University of Hawaii system and future state workforce development efforts. It requires the university to develop training curricula and implement the program, with funding allocated for this purpose. The bill is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 3000 (a date likely reflecting a typo in the official record).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds language access program at University of Hawaii, directly supporting higher education workforce development and educational access through state appropriations.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds workforce development program training workers in language access services, advancing employment standards through skill-building and state-funded workforce preparation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 19: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DIVISION OF AQUATIC RESOURCES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP AND PROPOSE A FRAMEWORK FOR A STUDENT CORAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

SCR 19 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to collaborate with the Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to create 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 that harm coral) through voluntary, non-enforcement activities like student outreach and educational materials. It specifically aims to engage students from public charter schools with existing marine stewardship programs, such as West Hawai‘i Explorations Academy. DLNR must report to the legislature by early 2027 on collaborative efforts and any recommendations for advancing reef protection.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates an educational program (student-led coral stewardship) for schools, enhancing student learning on reef-safe sunscreen through DOE collaboration.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill requests program to educate on reef-safe sunscreen, avoiding chemicals harming coral reefs, directly protecting natural resources and conservation.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2602: RELATING TO THE GENERAL FUND.

Requires that tuition, tuition-related course and fee charges, and other charges to students deposited into the University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund be allocated and expended in accordance with Board of Regents policies governing systemwide operations. On 6/30/2029, requires unencumbered funds in the University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund that exceeds the reserve level established by the Board of Regents to lapse to the general fund. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRedirects excess tuition funds from UH special fund to general fund, limiting university's financial resources without increasing education funding.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 657: RELATING TO THE CENTER FOR CLIMATE RESILIENT DEVELOPMENT.

Appropriates funds for the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology within the University of Hawaii at Manoa to establish and operate a Center for Climate Resilient Development. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds to establish a university center, directly funding higher education infrastructure per bill's summary.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAppropriates funds to establish a climate resilience center focused on climate change adaptation, directly advancing environmental protection efforts through dedicated funding and research.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 1345: RELATING TO TEACHER EDUCATION.

Authorizes the Department of Education to subsidize all tuition and mandatory fees for a resident student enrolled in a 4-year college campus of the University of Hawaii System with an education program or that offers an education degree for the semester or term that the student enrolls in a State-Approved Teacher Education Program under certain conditions. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationSubsidizes tuition/fees for teacher education programs, directly funding future educators and strengthening teacher pipeline through state-approved programs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 563: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII'S SPACE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING INITIATIVE.

Appropriates funds for salaries and fringe benefits of positions for the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy's Space Science and Engineering Initiative Workforce Development Program, Maunakea Scholars Program, and Internship Program. Appropriates funds for office equipment and supplies, operational costs, and stipends for high school and college students. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for student stipends, internship programs, and workforce development at UH, directly advancing higher education access and student support programs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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