Education

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1781: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a Numeracy Coaching Program to provide numeracy coaches in certain Department of Education elementary schools, middle schools, and intermediate schools to support teachers, improve instruction, and ensure that students develop a strong foundation in mathematics. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for a new education program, directly supporting budget allocation for public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes numeracy coaching program with funding to support teachers and improve math instruction in K-12 schools, directly advancing educational quality through targeted resources.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2551: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to develop an alternative pathway for a visiting international educator permit aligned to the duration of the educator's J-1 visa program. Repeals 6/30/2031.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates alternative pathway for international educators, facilitating teacher recruitment and addressing staffing shortages, directly supporting educator access and school staffing needs.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill creates pathway for J-1 visa educators to align permits with visa duration, facilitating immigration integration and access to education services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 736: RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.

Authorizes the Department of Education to establish a recognition program to incentivize schools to submit to the Department a plan for the school to reach the local farm to school meal goal of thirty per cent of food served in the school to consist of locally sourced products by 2030. Requires public high schools under the Department of Education to provide plantbased meals as an option under the school meals program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires plant-based meal options and incentivizes farm-to-school programs, enhancing student nutrition and school meal accessibility within K-12 education policies.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 712: RELATING TO THE PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS PROGRAM.

SB 712 expands eligibility for the state's Preschool Open Doors Program, allowing more preschool programs to participate. It removes a requirement that providers must be accredited, simplifying access for eligible preschools. This change directly affects preschool programs seeking to join or continue in the state-funded initiative. The bill aims to increase program availability by lowering administrative barriers for providers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves accreditation barrier, expanding preschool program access and availability under state-funded initiative, directly increasing educational access for early childhood programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2470: RELATING TO FINANCIAL LITERACY.

Requires the Department of Education to implement financial literacy instruction into existing courses in public high schools that have sufficient overlap with financial literacy program standards beginning in the 2027-2028 school year. Requires the Board of Education to provide professional development to teachers. Allows the Board of Education to adopt rules. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for financial literacy education, directly allocating budget resources to support public school programs per legislative mandate.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates financial literacy curriculum integration in high schools, appropriates funds, and requires teacher professional development - directly advancing educational content and support.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 746: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to transition the Red Raider Productions student organization at Kauai High School into a learning center through the Department of Education's learning centers program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds to transition a student organization into a DOE learning center, directly funding a school program per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 497: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, requires the Department of Education to require the teaching of financial literacy to be included in the existing personal transition plan requirement for each student.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires financial literacy in curriculum, expanding educational content for students under personal transition plans.95% confidence

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 2880: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

SB 2880 clarifies that public charter school teachers qualify for the Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program, which provides financial rewards to educators who earn national board certification. This change directly affects public charter school teachers in the state, removing a previous eligibility barrier for this specific incentive. The bill’s key mechanism is a straightforward clarification in program rules, ensuring charter school teachers can access the same incentives as teachers in traditional public schools. The bill is currently under review by the Education (EDU) committee, with a public hearing scheduled for February 11, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves eligibility barrier for charter teachers to access certification incentives, directly supporting educator compensation and program access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Teachers

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1107: RELATING TO HEALTH.

Establish a medical education liaison position within the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine to support programs that utilize a team of medical specialists to support primary care providers and other health care professionals through mentorship and guidance. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for medical education liaison at UH medical school, advancing higher education support through dedicated personnel and program funding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates funds to establish medical education liaison supporting primary care providers via mentorship, strengthening healthcare workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Primary Care

Track

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 14, 2026

HB 1785: RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION.

Authorizes the Superintendent to hire a new contractor if a contractor under a student transportation contract fails to provide service on a contracted service capacity or designated service segment for five or more consecutive instructional days. Authorizes the Department of Education to assess a penalty if a contractor fails to provide service on a designated service segment without an approved justification. Authorizes the use of the School Bus Fare Revolving Fund to offset costs associated with procuring replacement services. (CD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill ensures reliable student transportation by enabling contractor replacement and creating a revolving fund from penalties, directly supporting educational access for K-12 students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation