Math at the center of Hawaii’s education priorities as leaders look ahead
Math readiness has emerged as a defining education issue for Hawaii as lawmakers and school leaders prepare for the 2026...
Education
Hawaii legislative bill would feed every public school student for free
https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2026/01/24/hawaii-news/hawaii-legislative-bill-would-feed-every-public-school-student-for-free/
Feds investigate Hawaii DOE’s policies on gender identity, sports
https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2026/01/17/hawaii-news/feds-investigate-hawaii-does-policies-on-gender-identity-sports/
Hawaiʻi Preschool Aid May Not Kick In This School Year After All The expansion of preschool tuition subsidies is part of the state’s strategy to increase access to early education, but some families are facing delays in receiving aid.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/01/hawaii-preschool-aid-may-not-kick-in-this-school-year-after-all/
School Sports Fans Are Getting Meaner. Do Hawaiʻi Laws Fall Short? The recent assault of Moanalua High School’s assistant athletic director has sparked calls to better protect sports officials. Teachers say the DOE needs to do more to keep them safe, too.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/01/school-sports-fans-are-getting-meaner-do-hawaii-laws-fall-short/
IN TWO WEEKS: Hawaii School Fair to Bring Families and Schools Together
HONOLULU, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Honolulu parents who want to find new schools for their kids can attend a free event on...
Facilities authority moves to speed classroom builds
https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2026/01/10/hawaii-news/facilities-authority-moves-to-speed-classroom-builds/
Hawaiian Language Schools Grow As DOE Shrinks. There’s One Big Problem The state doesn’t have enough teachers to keep up with demand for schools taught in Hawaiian. Upcoming retirements are expected to add to the challenge.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/01/hawaiian-language-schools-grow-as-doe-shrinks-theres-one-big-problem/
More Hawaiʻi Students Are First-Time English Learners The number of Chuukese and Spanish speakers in DOE schools has been rising, while schools are seeing fewer students fluent in Ilocano and Tagalog.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/12/more-hawaii-students-are-are-first-time-english-learners/
Can Kamehameha Fend Off Admissions Lawsuit With Free Tuition? The state probate court must first approve a plan to make the school tuition-free starting in the 2026 school year.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/12/can-kamehameha-fend-off-admissions-lawsuit-with-free-tuition/
Hawaiʻi Charter Schools Need Facilities. Could The DOE Be A Solution? Charter schools are the only growing sector of Hawaiʻi education, but limited funding and campus space has prevented schools from expanding and meeting families’ demands.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/12/hawai%ca%bbi-charter-schools-need-facilities-could-the-doe-be-a-solution/
Volunteers Oversee Hawaiʻi Charter Schools. The State Has Little Say Over Them Volunteer boards oversee the academics and finances of Hawaiʻi charter schools. But the state has limited influence over who serves on those boards or how they hold schools accountable.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/12/volunteers-oversee-hawaii-charter-schools-the-state-has-little-say-over-them/
Kamehameha Schools Trustee Finalists Are Walking Into A Challenging Future Three men are seeking to lead one of the country’s largest charitable trusts.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/12/kamehameha-schools-trustee-finalists-challenging-future/
Hawaiʻi Charter Schools Promised A New Model. Did They Succeed? Hawaiʻi’s charter schools pledged to improve public education through more innovation and family engagement. Three decades later, they’ve gained momentum but still lag in some traditional measures of success.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/12/hawaii-charter-schools-promised-new-model/
Nearly Half Of DOE’s New Teacher Hires Are Not Licensed To Teach Hawaiʻi’s public schools have improved teacher retention and reduced vacancy rates since the Covid-19 pandemic, but are relying heavily on emergency hires.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/12/nearly-half-new-teacher-hires-unlicensed/
Neal Milner: Sometimes Classroom Discussions Get Messy — As They Should Schools need to find a way to hash out everyday disagreements without invoking formal policies or legalities.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/12/neal-milner-sometimes-classroom-discussions-get-messy-as-they-should/
Eric Stinton: Be Tough On Public Education, But Also Be Thankful For It When people care enough to criticize you thoughtfully, be grateful they don’t just dismiss you outright.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/12/eric-stinton-be-tough-on-public-education-but-also-be-thankful-for-it/
High teacher turnover challenges Hawaii public schools
https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2025/11/26/hawaii-news/high-teacher-turnover-challenges-hawaii-public-schools/
Bonuses Aren’t Solving Hawaiʻi’s Special Education Teacher Shortage The Hawaiʻi DOE offers at least $10,000 to special education teachers to fill open positions, but most schools have reported worsening shortages.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/11/bonuses-arent-solving-hawaiis-special-education-teacher-shortage/
Hawai‘i DOE Wants $83,000 To Provide Data On Gender Equity In Schools DOE has recently stepped up its oversight of high school sports, but parents say they want more information on how female athletes are treated.
https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/11/hawaii-doe-wants-83000-to-provide-data-on-gender-equity-in-schools/
