Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 302H — Hawaiian Language Medium Education

Division 1. Government — Title 18. Education

Hawaii Revised Statutes as published by the Hawaii State Legislature (files updated 1/5/2026 7:14 PM).

Division 1 Government

Title 18 Education

Chapter 302H Hawaiian Language Medium Education

§302H-1 Hawaiian language medium education program; established

The Hawaiian language medium education program may be established as a complete educational program or schooling experience provided to students in the medium of the Hawaiian language. The educational objectives of this program shall take into consideration how its content integrates with Hawaiian language and culture curricula and Hawaiian language medium curricula offered at the preschool and college levels, may be the same as the English language medium program, and may fulfill unique Hawaiian language medium education program goals.

[L 2004, c 133, pt of §2]

§302H-2 Attendance and eligibility

All children of compulsory school age choosing to enroll in the Hawaiian language medium program in families of fluent Hawaiian-speaking persons may be given preference for admittance. Other persons may enroll at the discretion of individual school sites under the conditions described above and in compliance with applicable state and federal laws. All students and their families shall abide by the special rules of the program with respect to family participation.

[L 2004, c 133, pt of §2]

§302H-3 Office of Hawaiian language medium education; personnel

The department of education may create a separate office of Hawaiian language medium education for the direction and control of the program. The department may employ necessary personnel qualified by training and experience to direct and supervise the types of instruction and special services specified in this chapter. Publicly funded institutions of higher education may create teacher preparation programs to ensure that pre-service training is provided to students interested in teaching elementary and secondary students in the Hawaiian language.

[L 2004, c 133, pt of §2]

§302H-4 Facilities or transportation

When fifteen or more qualified children in any one departmental school district wish to enroll in the Hawaiian language medium education program, the superintendent of education may provide facilities for a Hawaiian language medium education program or provide transportation to the nearest schooling site providing the program, including a charter school site or laboratory school site.

[L 2004, c 133, pt of §2]

§302H-5 Student performance

The department of education may develop and use multiple assessment strategies and instruments to assess student achievement and performance and to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching strategies and methods being used in the Hawaiian language medium education program.

[L 2004, c 133, pt of §2]

§302H-6 Hawaiian language medium state education agency; districts and complex areas

The department of education may establish a Hawaiian language medium state education agency with the capability of operating districts and complex areas on an equal basis with any other districts and complex areas of the department. The Hawaiian language medium state education agency shall encompass the entire State, may administer schools consisting of geographically noncontiguous classes, boarding schools, charter schools, or cyber schools and may share facilities, administration, programs, resources, and funding with other public, charter, and private schools and colleges as appropriate. All schools and programs taught through the medium of the Hawaiian language shall be included in the Hawaiian language medium state education agency.

[L 2004, c 133, pt of §2]

§302H-7 Collaboration

The department of education shall work collaboratively with the Hawaiian language college of the University of Hawaii at Hilo and any other entities recognized by the legislature for the purpose of addressing Hawaiian language medium education, extending to those entities support for inclusion in the special provisions for children and families enrolled in the Hawaiian language medium education program of the department and maximizing the joint use of existing and new resources to meet the goal of revitalizing, maintaining, and strengthening the Hawaiian language.

[L 2004, c 133, pt of §2]