Education

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SCR 17: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO MANDATE THE TEACHING OF PRE-1959 HAWAIIAN HISTORY FROM AN INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVE, BEGINNING NO LATER THAN SCHOOL YEAR 2027-2028, ACROSS ALL GRADE LEVELS WHERE SOCIAL STUDIES IS TAUGHT.

SCR 17 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Education to mandate teaching pre-1959 Hawaiian history from an Indigenous perspective across all public school social studies classes starting in the 2027-2028 school year. It directly affects Hawaii public schools and students, requiring curriculum changes to include key historical events like the Hawaiian Kingdom's governance, the 1893 overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani, and pre-annexation history. The resolution specifies that the Department of Education must collaborate with Native Hawaiian educators and cultural practitioners to develop curriculum standards, approved materials, and teacher training. This is a procedural resolution (not a law) that formally requests the Department of Education take these steps to align with Hawaii's constitutional obligation to promote Hawaiian culture and history.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of Indigenous Hawaiian history in K-12 curriculum, enhancing historical education and cultural perspective per Hawaii's cultural mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Teachers

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2897: RELATING TO EDUCATION FUNDING.

Requires the Committee on Weights to develop recommendations for a weighted student formula that achieves resource parity between public schools and independent schools of the State. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires weighted student formula to achieve resource parity between public/independent schools, advancing equitable funding distribution.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 1887: 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 & TaxesAppropriates funds for AI education grant program, directly funding a new public education initiative under state budget.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AI literacy curriculum for grades 11-12 with graduation requirement, establishes grant pilot, and appropriates funds to advance educational standards.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates AI literacy curricula for high school students, funds education programs, and establishes advisory council to promote AI understanding and workforce readiness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 206: RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE.

Requires each public high school in the State to require students to complete and pass 2 full years of Hawaiian language courses as a condition of graduation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates Hawaiian language as graduation requirement, enhancing curriculum diversity and cultural education access in K-12 schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1067: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Authorizes the Department of Education to establish a program to award a high school diploma to qualified persons who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsorily or voluntarily induction into the armed services of the United States and to persons whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by creating diploma program for veterans and those with interrupted education due to wartime service, directly advancing K-12 credentialing opportunities.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill authorizes diplomas for veterans interrupted by military service, directly supporting educational access and recognizing their service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 267: RELATING TO SCHOOL SAFETY.

Mandates that each school sporting event of 25 or more participants have an AED trained faculty member or athletic trainer in attendance and all schools be equipped with AED devices, Narcan, EpiPens, and inhalers. Mandates CPR training for coaches and athletic trainers. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates safety equipment/funding for schools (AEDs, Narcan, CPR training), directly enhancing K-12 student/staff protection and school infrastructure as part of education safety protocols.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates AEDs, Narcan, EpiPens, and CPR training in schools, directly enhancing emergency medical access and funding life-saving equipment for student health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 814: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Allows certain undocumented students to be considered residents of the State for the purposes of tuition, financial assistance, and University of Hawaii program participation under certain conditions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access for undocumented students by enabling resident tuition rates and financial aid eligibility, directly advancing educational access under the topic.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationAllows undocumented students access to in-state tuition and financial aid, aligning with DACA protections and immigrant integration services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education DACA & Dreamers

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1608: RELATING TO SCHOOL SAFETY.

Requires the Department of Education to assign school resource officers to department public schools and charter schools. Encourages the employment of qualified retirees from the local police departments and department of law enforcement. Appropriates funds for these positions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for school resource officers, enhancing school safety within education policy framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2168: RELATING TO THE EDUCATION OF STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a program for the support of students experiencing homelessness. Requires the Department to designate a state coordinator position and state navigator positions to implement the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates dedicated program with coordinators/navigators to support homeless students' educational access, directly expanding student services per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 617: RELATING TO NURSING.

HB 617 appropriates state funds to establish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at the University of Hawaii Maui College, effective July 1, 3000. The bill directly affects UH Maui College students and nursing education in Maui County by creating a new academic pathway for nursing degrees. Its key provision is the allocation of dedicated state funding to develop and operate this specific degree program. The bill does not alter existing nursing regulations or licensure requirements, focusing solely on program establishment through state appropriations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funds for a new BSN program at UH Maui College, directly expanding higher education access and funding for nursing education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds BSN program at UH Maui College, directly supporting nursing workforce development and healthcare education through state appropriation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Medical Licensing

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