Education

passed both · Hawaii · House May 8, 2026

HCR 122: REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO CONSIDER OFFERING OLELO HAWAII MICRO-CREDENTIALS FOCUSING ON OLELO NIIHAU.

This bill requests the University of Hawaii to create a specific language pathway for the Niihau dialect of Hawaiian, recognizing it as distinct from other Hawaiian language programs. The resolution acknowledges that Niihau speakers maintain a unique dialect due to the island's isolation and continued use of Hawaiian as their primary language of thought. It aims to protect this linguistic heritage by formally requesting the university to accommodate Niihau-specific language education rather than integrating it into general Hawaiian language curricula. The measure directs a copy of the resolution to the University of Hawaii System president to facilitate implementation of this educational pathway.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill requests University of Hawaii to create language pathway for Niihau dialect, protecting linguistic heritage and expanding educational access for Hawaiian language education90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 8, 2026

HCR 53: REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII BOARD OF REGENTS TO CONDUCT A SYSTEMWIDE ASSOCIATE DEGREE COMPLETION AUDIT.

This bill asks the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to conduct a systemwide audit to find students who have earned enough credits for an associate degree but haven't been awarded one. The audit will specifically look at students who transferred from community colleges to four-year campuses or left the system after accumulating sufficient credits. The university is also asked to study how to create pathways for awarding these earned degrees and report findings to the legislature by March 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes educational access by auditing for unawarded degrees and creating pathways to award earned associate degrees, strengthening higher education completion.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 549: RELATING TO AN EARLY LEARNING APPRENTICESHIP GRANT PROGRAM.

Establishes an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program to be administered by the University of Hawaii to provide financial support for early learning program service providers in the State to participate in state- or federally-approved early learning apprenticeship programs. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds early learning apprenticeship program for providers, supporting educational access and workforce development in early education through appropriations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2320: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes the Kuleana AgTech Pathways Program to create career pipelines in the fields of agriculture and agricultural technology. Requires the University of Hawaii to collaborate with the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and appropriate community organizations to develop and administer the program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes AgTech career pathways program with DOE collaboration, appropriates funds for educational pipeline development, directly advancing K-12/higher education opportunities in agricultural fields.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates agtech career pathways with DLIR collaboration, funding workforce development in agriculture sector to advance employment opportunities.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds AgTech career pathways via University of Hawaii collaboration, directly advancing agricultural technology sector through program development and appropriations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2550: RELATING TO SCHOOL MODERNIZATION.

Requires the School Facilities Authority to establish a school modernization initiative through a capital improvement project planning database for school facilities statewide. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for school modernization initiative, directly funding public infrastructure under state budget authority.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for school modernization initiative via capital improvement database, directly improving school infrastructure and facilities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2024: RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOL FACILITIES.

Authorizes the School Facilities Authority to use public-private partnerships for the development of public school facilities, including facilities at public charter schools. Requires the School Facilities Authority to establish a pilot program to develop three new public schools in areas based on demonstrated need through public-private partnerships. Requires the approval of the Department of Education prior to the development of a public school for the pilot program on Department lands. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for charter school facilities through public-private partnerships, directly funding public education infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for new public schools in high-need areas via public-private partnerships, directly improving school infrastructure and access per education topic description.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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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 24, 2026

HCR 42: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO MEET THE CRITERIA NECESSARY TO OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZE CHEERLEADING AS A TITLE IX SPORT IN HAWAII.

This bill asks Hawaii's Department of Education to officially recognize competitive cheerleading as a Title IX sport. It urges state officials to develop guidelines and safety standards that align with federal requirements for equal athletic opportunities. The resolution directs the Department of Education to work with the Hawaii High School Athletic Association to establish rules for coaching, facilities, and oversight. This measure seeks to ensure high school cheer athletes receive resources comparable to other varsity sports.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill seeks to expand athletic opportunities for high school students by recognizing cheerleading as a Title IX sport, enhancing student programs and equal access to athletics.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 24, 2026

HCR 181: AFFIRMING THAT THE LEGISLATIVE INTENT OF SECTION 302A-1116, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES, IS TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CREATE SUBSTANTIVELY TEMPORARY POSITIONS ONLY.

This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Education to form a shared decision-making committee to develop a plan for establishing a K-12 Hawaiian language immersion school in Kapolei. The proposed committee would include 11 members representing educators, administrators, community organizations, parents, and higher education leaders to guide the planning process. The action plan must outline steps for facility selection, teacher recruitment, curriculum development, and a phased implementation schedule starting with kindergarten through second grade by the 2027-2028 school year. The bill also directs the Department to allocate initial faculty and administrative positions to support the new school and requires progress reports to the Legislature by 2027 and 2028.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill proposes establishing a new K-12 Hawaiian language immersion school, expanding educational access and supporting language preservation through shared decision-making committee.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 23, 2026

HCR 110: REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII BOARD OF REGENTS TO REVIEW AND REFINE THE OPERATIONAL MISSIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII'S FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTIONS TO ENSURE THAT EACH CAMPUS FULFILLS A DISTINCT AND COMPLEMENTARY ROLE IN SERVING STUDENTS AND THE STATE.

This bill requests the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to review and refine the operational missions of the system's four-year campuses to ensure each has a distinct and complementary role. The resolution asks the Board to consider workforce needs, student access, geographic service areas, and resource efficiency during this review. The Board is required to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by twenty days before the 2027 Regular Session begins. The bill directly affects the University of Hawaii system, its Board of Regents, and the campuses at Manoa, West Oahu, and Hilo.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill seeks to optimize university missions for better student access and workforce alignment, strengthening higher education effectiveness.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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