summary
Introduced
01/28/2026
01/28/2026
In Committee
02/11/2026
02/11/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Establishes the Institute of Indigenous Education, Science, and Outreach within the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Authorizes the Hawaiian Language College Revolving Fund to include moneys from any revenue source and requires expenditures in the fund to be used to support the Imiloa Astronomy Center. Requires the Hawaiian Early Learning Trust Fund to support the Hawaiian-Language-Medium Education Pathway. Establishes a cap on individual deposits into the Hawaiian Language College Revolving Fund and the Hawaiian Early Learning Trust Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Institute of Indigenous Education, Science, and Outreach within the University of Hawaii at Hilo, a collaborative effort between the Imiloa Astronomy Center and the College of Hawaiian Language, to strengthen Hawaiian language education from early childhood through doctoral programs and to offer language education services to other indigenous groups and outreach to those living outside Hawaii. It also amends existing laws to allow the Hawaiian Language College Revolving Fund to accept money from any revenue source, specifically to support the Imiloa Astronomy Center, and mandates that the Hawaiian Early Learning Trust Fund be used to support the Hawaiian-language-medium education pathway, including the Imiloa Astronomy Center and the College of Hawaiian Language. Furthermore, the bill removes any limits on the total revenue that can be deposited into these two funds by the University of Hawaii, while simultaneously setting a cap on individual deposits into each fund, and the entire act is set to take effect on July 1, 3000.
Committee Categories
Education, Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Holt excused (1). (on 02/11/2026)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2617&year=2026 |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2617_HD1_.HTM |
| Committee Report HB2617_HD1_HSCR135-26_ | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/CommReports/HB2617_HD1_HSCR135-26_.pdf |
| HB2617_TESTIMONY_HED_02-06-26_ | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/Testimony/HB2617_TESTIMONY_HED_02-06-26_.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2617_.HTM |
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