Education (Higher Education) in Hawaii

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HR 71: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESILIENCE TO SUPPORT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S SECONDARY AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION PROGRAM AND THE FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA PROGRAM.

This bill requests that the Hawaii Department of Education and the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience support the state's Secondary Agricultural Education Program and the Future Farmers of America program. The resolution aims to strengthen agricultural education in Hawaii's high schools to help address the state's food security concerns and declining agricultural workforce. It proposes employing an extension agent at the university to provide professional development and connect agricultural best practices to local schools. The bill focuses on restoring and expanding these programs through targeted support rather than creating new funding or policy mandates.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Tags Agriculture

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 ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 77: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESILIENCE TO SUPPORT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S SECONDARY AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION PROGRAM AND THE FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA PROGRAM.

This bill requests that the Hawaii Department of Education and the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience support the state's secondary agricultural education program and the Future Farmers of America youth organization. The resolution aims to strengthen agricultural workforce development by encouraging professional development for teachers and expanding educational opportunities in agriculture for high school students. It specifically suggests employing an extension agent at the university to provide outreach and connect best practices to local schools. The bill does not allocate funding but serves as a formal request for collaboration between state agencies and the university to address Hawaii's food security goals.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Workforce Development Tags Agriculture

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 25, 2026

HR 207: HONORING DR. DAVID LASSNER FOR A LIFETIME OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIʻI SYSTEM AND THE STATE AND RECOGNIZING HIS ENDURING LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO SUPPORT HIGHER EDUCATION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND THE PUBLIC GOOD.

This bill is a House Resolution that formally honors Dr. David Lassner for his nearly five decades of service to the University of Hawaiʻi System and the state. It recognizes his leadership as a staff member, executive, and president, highlighting his contributions to academic excellence, student opportunities, and community engagement during his career. The resolution acknowledges his work in guiding the university through challenges such as natural disasters and the pandemic while promoting equity and innovation. This legislative action serves as a commemorative tribute rather than implementing new policies or affecting specific groups beyond recognizing his legacy.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HR 89: SUPPORTING THE REQUEST BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA FACULTY SENATE FOR A COMMITMENT FROM UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII LEADERS TO REMAIN STEADFAST IN VIGOROUSLY DEFENDING ANY AND ALL STUDENTS, FACULTY, OR STAFF WHO MAY BE ATTACKED FOR EXERCISING THEIR RIGHTS TO ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND FREE SPEECH.

This bill is a House Resolution that formally supports the University of Hawaii at Manoa Faculty Senate's request for university leaders to commit to defending students, faculty, and staff who exercise their rights to academic freedom and free speech. The resolution expresses concern that proposed revisions to the university's "Time, Place, and Manner" policies could restrict expressive activities and create an antagonistic relationship between the administration and the university community. It calls on university leadership to avoid restricting rights to academic freedom and free speech, citing historical examples of the university's role in protecting civil liberties. The resolution directs copies to the Board of Regents, the University President, and the Manoa Faculty Senate.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 114: REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO ALLOW AN OLELO HAWAII PATHWAY UNDER THE NIIHAU DIALECT.

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.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 102: 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 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.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 168: SUPPORTING THE REQUEST BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA FACULTY SENATE FOR A COMMITMENT FROM UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII LEADERS TO REMAIN STEADFAST IN VIGOROUSLY DEFENDING ANY AND ALL STUDENTS, FACULTY, OR STAFF WHO MAY BE ATTACKED FOR EXERCISING THEIR RIGHTS TO ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND FREE SPEECH.

This Senate Resolution expresses support for the University of Hawaii at Manoa Faculty Senate's request that university leaders commit to defending students, faculty, and staff who exercise their rights to academic freedom and free speech. The bill does not create new laws or change university policies but instead serves as a formal statement of legislative backing for the faculty senate's opposition to proposed "Time, Place, and Manner" restrictions on expressive activities. It calls on University of Hawaii leadership to maintain strong protections for free speech and academic freedom within the institution. The resolution directs copies to the Board of Regents, university president, and faculty senate administrative officer to ensure the commitment is communicated to key university officials.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 140: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA TO ADOPT ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING AS A PRIMARY STRATEGY TO ADDRESS DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION AND IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY STATEWIDE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution in Hawaii asks the Department of Education to study how mental health-related absences affect student attendance and well-being. The study will examine how often students miss school due to mental or behavioral health concerns, review policies in other states that allow such absences, and evaluate whether recognizing these absences as excused could improve student outcomes. The Department of Education is requested to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026, which may include suggestions for policy or legislative changes. This measure does not change current laws but seeks to gather data to inform future decisions about student attendance policies.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Safety Student Health Mental Health

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 112: REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII SYSTEM, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, TO REQUIRE COMPLETION OF COMPREHENSIVE COURSEWORK IN READING, LANGUAGE, AND LITERACY AS A CONDITION FOR GRADUATION FROM ANY STATE-APPROVED EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM LEADING TO TEACHER LICENSURE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to combine the McKinley and Waipahu Community Schools for Adults into one statewide program called the Hawaii State Community School for Adults. The bill aims to improve coordination, streamline operations, and better serve adult learners by creating a unified system that maintains current services while expanding program quality. It directs the Department to consult with employee representatives, develop a transition plan to minimize disruption, and target a July 1, 2026 start date for the new unified program.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Teachers

All education bills