SB529 appropriates state general funds to the Department of Education to expand and continue the Hoakea program for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. The bill describes Hoakea as an educational initiative that blends core academic subjects with Native Hawaiian cultural practices, voyaging, place-based learning, environmental stewardship, climate change education, and community engagement. It also frames the program as aligned with the department’s strategic goals and with Na Hopena Ao, the board-adopted framework emphasizing Hawaiian values, belonging, and student well-being.
The bill’s stated purpose is to increase access to culturally relevant, aina-based learning experiences for students, teachers, and school communities. It cites existing partnerships with the Polynesian Voyaging Society, local waa and aina organizations, and other community groups, and notes that the program has already reached thousands of students and teachers statewide. The measure does not change curriculum mandates or create a new program; instead, it provides funding for expansion and continuation of an existing Department of Education initiative.
Impact
SB529 would amend state spending law by appropriating an unspecified amount from general revenues for the Department of Education’s Hoakea program in two fiscal years. Its practical effect would be to support expanded culturally grounded and place-based educational programming, including student learning activities, out-of-class experiences, and teacher professional development. The bill would not directly alter substantive education statutes, but it would direct state funds to a specific DOE program and reinforce the department’s use of Na Hopena Ao and Native Hawaiian educational approaches.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong support for the bill in the Senate. It passed the Senate Education Committee 5-0 with amendments and later passed the Senate Ways and Means Committee 13-0 without amendment. No committee transcripts were provided, but the unanimous votes suggest broad agreement with the bill’s goals of supporting culturally relevant education and expanding an existing program that has already demonstrated statewide reach.
Contention
No major opposition is reflected in the provided record. The main practical issue appears to be funding: the bill appropriates an unspecified amount, and the legislature notes that the Department of Education cannot meet growing demand for Hoakea with existing resources. Any discussion of contention would likely center on budget priorities, the scale of expansion, and whether the state should allocate additional general funds to a specialized educational program, but no explicit objections are included in the materials provided.
A resolution to direct the Clerk of the House of Representatives to only present to the Governor enrolled House bills finally passed by both houses of the One Hundred Third Legislature.
Relating to nonsubstantive additions to, revisions of, and corrections in enacted codes, to the nonsubstantive codification or disposition of various laws omitted from enacted codes, and to conforming codifications enacted by the 88th Legislature to other Acts of that legislature.