Bill > HB626

This bill seeks to provide funding for the Hawaii Department of Education's Ho?akea: Mauka to Makai Navigating our Future Program, which is an innovative educational initiative designed to integrate core academic subjects with cultural practices, environmental stewardship, and native Hawaiian traditions. The program aims to improve student engagement, particularly for Polynesian and native Hawaiian students who have historically experienced higher absenteeism and lower educational achievement. By partnering with local wa?a (voyaging canoe) organizations and ?aina (land) groups, Ho?akea creates authentic learning experiences that connect students to their community, culture, and environment. Currently, the program has reached over 3,200 students and 1,300 teachers across more than 50 organizations in Hawaii, and with the proposed funding, the Department of Education believes it can triple student engagement by 2027. The bill appropriates an unspecified amount of general state revenues for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to support the expansion of the Ho?akea program, with the goal of creating more culturally relevant and engaging educational experiences that prepare students not just for academic and professional success, but also for community leadership and civic engagement.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=626&year=2026