Education (K-12 Education)

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 171: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONVENE A SHARED-DECISION MAKING COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP AN ACTION PLAN TO ESTABLISH A K-12 KAIAPUNI SCHOOL IN KAPOLEI.

This House Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Education to create a committee to plan a new K-12 Hawaiian language immersion school in Kapolei. The committee would include education officials, teachers, community members, and parents to develop an action plan that addresses facility needs, teacher recruitment, and curriculum development. The resolution outlines a phased timeline to open kindergarten through second grade by the 2027-2028 school year, with additional grades added in subsequent years. It also requests that the Department of Education allocate initial faculty and administrative positions to support the program's launch.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill proposes establishing a new K-12 Hawaiian language immersion school, expanding educational access and supporting language preservation through shared decision-making with educators and community members.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HR 69: ENCOURAGING THE HAWAIʻI STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO WORK WITH THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN EDUCATION TO CREATE AND CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO ESTABLISH A K-12 HAWAIIAN IMMERSION CAMPUS IN WEST OʻAHU.

This bill encourages the Hawaii State Department of Education to collaborate with the Office of Hawaiian Education to form a working group that would plan for a new K-12 Hawaiian language immersion campus in West O'ahu. The working group would include representatives from state agencies, universities, community organizations, and local families to study potential locations, enrollment needs, staffing requirements, and governance structures. The group is required to meet quarterly for one year and submit a report with recommendations and a roadmap to establish the campus by 2040. This resolution does not authorize funding or mandate the creation of the school, but rather directs state agencies to begin planning and research.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes expansion of Hawaiian language immersion education by establishing a new K-12 campus, enhancing educational access and cultural preservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 184: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP A PROPOSAL FOR A TIERED, COORDINATED, AND STANDARDIZED BELL SCHEDULE FRAMEWORK FOR DEPARTMENT SCHOOLS.

This Senate Resolution asks Hawaii's Department of Education to create a standardized bell schedule framework for all public schools in the state. The proposal aims to address current inconsistencies in school start and end times that create challenges for families, transportation planning, and coordination with community programs. The framework would organize schedules by school level - elementary, middle, and high school - while allowing local flexibility within state instructional hour requirements. The Department of Education is directed to consult with school administrators, teachers, parents, students, and transportation providers during the development process.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes standardized bell schedules to improve coordination, reduce family challenges, and enhance community program access for students.75% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety School Transportation

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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

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Teachers

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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

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 75: ENCOURAGING THE HAWAIʻI STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO WORK WITH THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN EDUCATION TO CREATE AND CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO ESTABLISH A K-12 HAWAIIAN IMMERSION CAMPUS IN WEST OʻAHU.

This bill encourages the Hawaii State Department of Education to collaborate with the Office of Hawaiian Education to form a working group that would explore creating a K-12 Hawaiian language immersion campus in West Oahu. The working group would meet quarterly for one year to develop a plan, including potential locations, enrollment estimates, governance structures, teacher recruitment strategies, and an implementation timeline targeting establishment by 2040. The group would consist of 15 members representing state education agencies, universities, community organizations, parents, and elected officials to ensure diverse input on the proposal.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill proposes creating a new K-12 Hawaiian immersion campus, expanding educational access and supporting language preservation programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Teachers

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HCR 58: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AND CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MILILANI ʻIKE ELEMENTARY STUDENTS USING SCHOOL CROSSWALKS.

This bill is a non-binding resolution urging the Department of Transportation, Department of Education, and City and County of Honolulu to improve safety at the crosswalk near Mililani ʻIke Elementary School where students cross Meheʻula Parkway and Kuaoʻa Street. The resolution requests specific safety measures including speed bumps, warning signage, and a solar-powered rapid flashing crosswalk sign to alert drivers of pedestrians. It cites concerns about high traffic volumes and previous near-miss incidents involving students in the area. As a concurrent resolution, it does not create new laws but formally asks state and local agencies to address the identified safety hazards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves school safety infrastructure protecting students, directly supporting educational access and student welfare85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill urges improvements to pedestrian safety infrastructure including speed bumps, signage, and crosswalk signals, directly enhancing transportation safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety School Transportation Pedestrian Safety

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2212: RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LITERACY EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a statewide Artificial Intelligence Literacy Curricula Plan for students in eleventh and twelfth grades, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year as a condition for graduation. Establishes the Advisory Council for Artificial Intelligence Education. Establishes a three-year Artificial Intelligence Education Grant Pilot Program within the Department of Education. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for AI education curricula and grant pilot program, directly increasing state budget allocation for public education programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AI literacy curriculum for grades 11-12 with state funding and grant pilot, expanding educational programs and requiring DOE implementation.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds AI literacy education curriculum development, grants, and advisory council to advance student technology understanding in high schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Artificial Intelligence

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 421: RELATING TO LITERACY.

Requires the Department of Education to administer a general dyslexia screening to all students in kindergarten through grade three. Requires the Department of Education to continue to administer the general English language arts universal screening for students in kindergarten through grade nine. Requires the Department of Education to collaborate with teacher training programs to ensure prospective candidates are trained on literacy instruction, including evidence-based intervention, to support all students. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires dyslexia/English language arts screenings for K-9 and mandates evidence-based teacher training for literacy instruction, directly advancing student reading proficiency and educator preparedness.92% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 2181: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

SB 2181 would require public schools in the state to increase the minimum number of instructional hours for students starting with the 2027-2028 school year. This change directly affects all public K-12 schools, as it mandates longer school days or additional instructional days to meet the new standard. The bill specifies the exact hour requirement but does not detail how schools must implement the increase. The measure is currently pending committee review after being introduced in January 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates increased instructional hours to improve student performance, aligning with 'student improvement' and 'student performance' subjects as a direct advancement of educational standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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