New laws aim to strengthen education for educators and students

Four measures in two bill signing ceremonies aimed at strengthening Hawai‘i’s education system through thoughtful policy, opportunity and collective growth.

“If we want strong schools for our keiki, we have to support the people who make those schools work every day,” said Gov. Josh Green. “Our teachers and educational workers dedicate their careers to helping our children learn, grow and succeed. But we know that working in education in Hawaiʻi comes with real challenges. For our keiki, young adults and their families, we need to make education more affordable and accessible — and the same goes for meals in public schools. The bills we have enacted today will help educators, students and families statewide.”

The measures reinforce an education system by equipping parents, students and teachers with essential tools for success.
 
“No child should have to worry about being hungry at school,” said First Lady Jaime Kanani Green. “A nutritious meal gives students the foundation they need to learn and this measure helps more families keep healthy school meals within reach. Every keiki deserves the opportunity to succeed in the classroom without hunger standing in the way.”

Educators across Hawaiʻi face financial pressures and workplace risks that impact their ability to remain in the classroom. HB 1890 and HB 1888 recognize these challenges by strengthening compensation pathways and ensuring safer working environments, creating a more supportive foundation for those guiding Hawaiʻi’s students.

Hawaiʻi educators are entrusted with caring for and shaping Hawaiʻi’s keiki, yet their compensation has not kept pace with the magnitude of that responsibility. Among other states, when adjusted for cost of living, Hawaiʻi teachers are paid the lowest. This is reflected in the state’s teacher retention crisis, with nearly half of Hawaiʻi’s teachers leaving the profession or the state within five years of starting.

HB 1890 establishes a clear framework for annual salary step increases for teachers who perform satisfactory service, as well as longevity raises for those who have remained at the highest salary step for at least three years. These increases are subject to collective bargaining negotiations and appropriations within the Legislature.

This incentive will better reflect experience and dedication in the compensation of Hawaiʻi’s educators and will allow students to grow alongside their teachers.

“Investing in our teachers is investing in every child’s future,” said Senator Donna Mercado Kim, chair of the Senate Committee on Education. “After a decade of teachers fighting for salary step increases, I am proud that we finally took action to adopt this measure that will help recruit and retain educators

Safeguarding educational workers from harassment and violence helps foster safer schools and supports the well-being of students, staff and the broader school community.

HB 1888 strengthens protections for educational workers, including sports officials, in the Department of Education public schools and public charter schools, by establishing clear procedures for addressing harassment related to their work. It requires schools to investigate reported incidents, outlines response protocols and mandates that potential threats of physical harm be reported to law enforcement within 48 hours.

The measure also calls for emergency safety planning and annual training on harassment response and de-escalation. It provides greater support for educational workers seeking temporary restraining orders, including court-related leave, assistance with certain service costs and potential help from the Department of the Attorney General.

Further, this measure enhances consequences for individuals who harass educational workers while they are performing their duties or are within an educational facility. HB 1888 is designed to ensure educational workers feel safe and supported while they are on the job, by providing legal safeguards and plans of action.

“Further, every educational worker deserves to feel safe, respected and supported, because safe schools begin with the people who dedicate their lives to our students,” Kim said.
 
Every student deserves the opportunity to succeed in education without being limited by financial barriers. Too often, those barriers force students and their families to choose between taking on significant costs, including debt, or stepping away from their educational goals.

Hawaiʻi Promise was established to help eligible University of Hawaiʻi community college students close the gap in the cost of attending college, recognizing that the true cost of higher education extends beyond tuition and fees. Students must also cover housing, food, transportation and other everyday expenses that can affect their ability to remain enrolled.

Under the program’s current structure, however, outside grants and scholarships may reduce a student’s Hawaiʻi Promise award, limiting the additional support those funds are intended to provide. HB 2338 strengthens the Hawaiʻi Promise program by providing scholarships that cover 95 percent of a student’s unmet direct educational expenses and improving coordination with federal financial aid.

These updates are intended to maximize available financial assistance, preserve access to federal support and allow other grants and scholarships to be applied toward indirect expenses, such as housing, food, transportation and other essential living costs that often influence a student’s ability to remain enrolled and complete their education.

“HB 2338 recognizes that the cost of attending college extends beyond tuition and acknowledges the importance of supporting students as they work toward their degrees and careers,” Kim said.

As the cost of living continues to rise, affordable school meals remain an important source of support for many Hawaiʻi families. HB 2296 helps ease that burden by lowering the minimum portion of meal preparation costs that schools must recover from one-half to one-quarter, giving the Department of Education greater flexibility to reduce prices while still offering free and reduced‑price meals.

“By avoiding a price hike on school meals, HB 2296 protects working families who are struggling just to get by,” said Daniela Spoto, Hawaiʻi Appleseed deputy director and director of food equity. “This technical fix is only one piece of a larger puzzle. Building on Act 139’s foundation, this legislation is a step forward, but the job isn’t finished until every single student in Hawaiʻi has guaranteed access to free, nutritious food at school.”

This amendment reinforces a simple truth: every child deserves access to nutritious meals — and no student should face a financial barrier in order to be fed.

“HB 2296 will ensure that cost will not be a barrier to accessing nutritious food,” Kim said. When students are healthy and supported, they are better prepared to focus in the classroom and reach their full potential.”
 
Together, these measures reflect Hawaiʻi’s commitment to building a stronger, more supportive education system for the future of Hawai‘i to succeed. From strengthening the educator workforce and promoting safer schools to expanding college affordability and improving access to nutritious meals, these actions help ensure that students, families and educators have the resources they need to thrive.
 
“Our goal is to ensure every student has the support they need to thrive in school and beyond,” said House Committee on Higher Education Chair Andrew Takuya Garrett. “These measures recognize the importance of supporting our students both inside and outside the classroom. By easing financial burdens for college students and helping ensure access to affordable, nutritious meals for our keiki, we are investing in their well-being so they can focus on their education and reach their full potential.”

The complete list of bills signed includes:

HB 1890, Act 233, Relating to Education

HB 1888, Act 234, Relating to the Safety of Educational Workers

HB 2338, Act 235, Relating to the Hawaiʻi Community College Promise Program

HB 2296, Act 236, Relating to School Meals
 
SB 2568, Act 237, Relating to Offenses Against Public Servants

HB 1785, Act 238, Relating to Student Transportation
 
SB 3118, Act 239, Relating to the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
 
SB 2614, Act 240, Relating to Education

HB 1713, Act 241, Relating to School Impact Fees

HB 1891, Act 242, Relating to Education
 
HB 1894, Act 243, Relating to Education
 
SB 2877, Act 244, Relating to Education