How have Hawaiʻi students fare in the Legislature?

Hawaiʻi has a single statewide school district so the operating budget to support state K-12 schools, programs and administration, about $2 billion annually, is largely funded by the state. That’s around 10% of the state’s total operating budget. As such, education legislation and appropriations are a major issue for state legislators challenged by multiple funding demands. The unions for public school teachers and University of Hawaiʻi faculty are influential in budget discussions. UH officials often appear before legislative committees to defend their budget, including capital improvements and student-related issues like tuition and housing.

In 2026, lawmakers who advocate for education will again try to expand the program that provides free meals to students, including to charter school students. The state Department of Education also needs more money for school construction and the upkeep of campuses. The debate over banning cellphones in schools also is heating up again in the Legislature. 

Quick Facts

  • Enrollment Trend: Of the 169,308 students enrolled in public K-12 schools in 2023-2024, approximately 12,446 are in charter schools.
  • Test Scores: The Hawaiʻi average for SAT scores in 2023 was 565 in math and 549 in evidence-based reading and writing, above the national average.
  • Graduation Rate: Just over 85% of public school students graduated on time in the 2022-2023 school year.
  • School Board: Hawaiʻi is the only state with a single, unified Board of Education, appointed by the governor.

Education Bills

In Focus

Here are all of the bills considered in the current session involving education. Highlighted bills are identified by Civil Beat as among the most significant this year. “In progress” status includes bills that may have been deferred but are technically still alive until the end of the two-year Legislature.

SB 1300 Passed
Michelle Kidani headshot
Michelle Kidani

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, expands free school meal coverage to students who currently qualify for reduced-price lunch. Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, expands free school meal coverage to students whose family income is not more than three hundred per cent of the federal poverty level. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

HB 692 Passed
Lisa Marten headshot
Lisa Marten

Expands the Preschool Open Doors Program's eligibility criteria. Repeals the requirement that Preschool Open Doors Program providers be accredited. Effective 1/1/2026. (CD1)

HB 1118 In Progress

Prohibits new non-medical immunization exemptions for school-aged children. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

HB 961 Passed
Jenna Takenouchi headshot
Jenna Takenouchi

Establishes a two-year Librarian Pilot Program to serve one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on an island other than Oahu. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

HB 1118
RELATING TO NON-MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS TO IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS.

Committee: House Standing Committee on Health

In Progress
RELATING TO NON-MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS TO IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS.Committee: House Standing Committee on Health
HB 1308
RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING.

Committee: House Standing Committee on Economic Development & Technology

In Progress
RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING.Committee: House Standing Committee on Economic Development & Technology
SB 732
RELATING TO THE FILM INDUSTRY.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development and Tourism

In Progress
RELATING TO THE FILM INDUSTRY.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development and Tourism
HB 1494
RELATING TO SPORTS FACILITIES.

Committee: House Standing Committee on Water & Land

In Progress
RELATING TO SPORTS FACILITIES.Committee: House Standing Committee on Water & Land
SB 1042
RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Health and Human Services

In Progress
RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Health and Human Services
HB 755
RELATING TO PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

Committee: House Standing Committee on Labor

In Progress
RELATING TO PAID FAMILY LEAVE.Committee: House Standing Committee on Labor
View All

Key Players

Legislative Leaders

These are the leaders in the Legislature for education issues as identified by Civil Beat.

Non-Legislative Leaders

Other than legislators, these are the people or organizations that have been most active on education issues involving higher education as well as public K-12 schools.

In the News