Progress made on Volcano charter school’s expansion
https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2026/05/27/hawaii-news/progress-made-on-volcano-charter-schools-expansion/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_news
Education
Waiʻanae Grads Go Big, But Hawaiʻi Celebrations Could Soon Shrink The state is expected to see the largest drop in high school graduates in the nation.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/05/waianae-grads-go-big-but-hawai%ca%bbi-celebrations-could-soon-shrink/
Hawaiʻi Teachers Win Raises, But Some Schools Are Still Crumbling Teachers say lawmakers made significant progress boosting educator morale and retention this session, but debates about campus repairs and construction are ongoing.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/05/hawaii-teachers-win-pay-bumps-and-safety-help-but-school-challenges-remain/
Candidate Faced Little Vetting For Charter School Board The Hawaiʻi education board reviews applications to the state charter school commission. Some school leaders say the process should be more rigorous.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/05/controversial-candidate-faced-little-vetting-for-charter-school-board/
DOE expanding farm-to-school programs
Fresh produce grown just steps from the cafeteria is now making its way onto student plates at Waipahu High School,...
Will Hawaiʻi Forfeit $5 Million For Teacher Apprenticeships? State leaders say the program will improve teacher retention and recruitment by providing more mentorship and financial support to prospective educators.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/05/will-hawaii-forfeit-5-million-for-teacher-apprenticeships/
‘It’s gonna be very devastating’: Five Hawaii Island early childhood education sites to close
https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2026/05/11/hawaii-news/its-gonna-be-very-devastating-five-hawaii-island-early-childhood-education-sites-to-close/?WHT=d84ef7837e5a3812cfc884d4d4d033377c0f9185
Power Has Been Out In These Oʻahu Classrooms For Months A building at Kalāheo High School has faced a power outage since the fall. Families are advocating for more funding to repair the school’s electrical system.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/05/kalaheo-high-school-students-left-in-the-dark-about-campus-repairs/
Hawaiʻi Families Need Preschool. Who Will Fund It? Families and advocates are wondering what the future of preschool could look like amid funding shortfalls and Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke’s recent departure from office.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/05/hawaii-families-need-preschool-who-will-fund-it/
Hawaiʻi Slashes Pay For Autistic Student Aides On Neighbor Islands The education department offered more money for specialists serving autistic students on the neighbor islands. Four years later, it’s retracting its offer.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/04/hawaii-slashes-pay-for-autistic-students-aides-on-neighbor-islands/
Family Suing Kamehameha Schools Can Stay Anonymous For Now Their identities will be revealed to the school’s attorneys and the judge presiding over the case.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/04/family-suing-kamehameha-schools-can-stay-anonymous-for-now/
Free School Meals Are Popular. Hawaiʻi Isn’t Sold. Three years after lawmakers first considered making school meals free for all kids, students and teachers are still pushing for change.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/04/free-school-meals-are-popular-hawaii-isnt-sold/
More Hawaiʻi Students Are Prepped For College. Will They Attend? Hawaiʻi has been pushing for more college and career readiness for high school students, but college enrollment is stagnant.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/04/hawaii-students-college-prep-classes-enrollment-uh/
$100K Tab For Failed Hawaiʻi Island Charter School May Fall To Taxpayers The case raises questions about whether the state could be on the hook for millions of dollars if other charter schools close.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/04/100k-for-failed-hawaii-island-charter-school-taxpayers/
UH calls on colorful cast of AI chatbots to help engage and support students
https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2026/04/12/hawaii-news/uh-calls-on-colorful-cast-of-ai-chatbots-to-help-engage-and-support-students/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_news
Computerized Cadavers: Hawaiʻi Students With Medical Ambitions Get Hands On Old school knowledge is being presented in new-fangled ways.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/04/computerized-cadavers-hawai%ca%bbi-students-with-medical-ambitions-get-hands-on/
Early Education Bill Gutted, Replaced With School Leadership Restrictions Language from one of the Senate education chair’s failed bills suddenly reappeared in an unrelated piece of legislation. Critics say that could be unconstitutional.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/04/early-education-bill-gutted-replaced-with-school-leadership-restrictions/
Public school construction bill advances amid support, labor concerns
https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2026/04/07/hawaii-news/public-school-construction-bill-advances-amid-support-labor-concerns/
Hawaiʻi School Contract Failures Triggered Holdup Of $30M+ For Meals Scrutiny of Hawaiʻi school contracting comes as lawmakers raise more questions about the costs of producing school lunches.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/04/hawai%ca%bbi-school-contract-failures-triggered-holdup-of-30m-for-meals/
Class of 2026 high school graduation ceremonies scheduled
Class of 2026 high school graduation ceremonies scheduled The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education has announced graduation ceremony dates, times...
