Bill > SB613

This bill requires all public high school students in Hawaii to complete two credits of Hawaiian language (?olelo Hawai?i) instruction as a requirement for graduation, starting with diplomas awarded in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill establishes a two-year pilot program at Noelani Elementary School and Nanakuli High and Intermediate School to develop and test Hawaiian language instruction methods, with the Department of Education tasked with designing the program, awarding certificates to participating elementary students, recognizing credits for high school students, and assessing student progress. The legislation is rooted in the historical context of the Hawaiian language's near-extinction due to a late 19th-century law prohibiting Hawaiian language instruction, and aims to support ongoing language revitalization efforts that began in the 1980s. The Department of Education will be required to submit a report to the legislature before the 2028 regular session, detailing the pilot program's findings and recommending whether to continue, expand, or end the program. The bill also appropriates state general revenue funds to support the implementation of these Hawaiian language instruction initiatives, with the program set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=613&year=2026