Hawaii education overview
Hawaiʻi State Board of Education
How statewide school policy, funding and construction decisions fit together.
One statewide public school system
The State Board sets statewide education policy, while the Department of Education operates public schools. The Board considers Department budget requests; the Governor and Legislature determine appropriations. School allocations and actual spending are separate steps. Voting members are appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. The current directory lists eight voting members and one vacancy, plus nonvoting student and military representatives.
School funding follows students and their needs
Most EDN 100 school funding uses the Weighted Student Formula: a base amount per student plus extra funding for characteristics such as low income and English-language learning. Special education and utilities, repairs and food services use separate budget programs.
Operating and construction money serve different purposes
The Department lists a $2.37 billion FY2026–27 operating budget, funded mainly by state taxes. Capital improvements are budgeted separately and financed almost entirely through state bonds. Charters, public libraries and the School Facilities Authority have separate program budgets outside this DOE total.
The Board adopted student phone limits
Policy 301-11, adopted February 12, 2026, sets minimum restrictions during school hours for elementary and middle schools and instructional time for high schools. It allows listed safety, instructional, medical and disability-related exceptions. School implementation was not independently verified.
AI guidance comes from the Department
The public AI resource page says student use requires a signed Technology Responsible Use Form and school-approved programs. This is Department guidance; the reviewed records do not establish a Board-adopted AI-use rule.
A statewide budget is not a school allocation or a measure of spending per student. An appropriation permits spending; restrictions and allotments can change how much becomes available.
Where the district stands
The funding-source breakdown describes expenditure authority, not cash received or actual spending.
Major projects
New East Kapolei elementary school
Out to bid as of October 14, 2026The proposed K–5 campus in Hoʻopili is planned for about 750 students. A ceremonial groundbreaking occurred in October, but site construction still depends on procurement. East Kapolei Elementary School is a planning name; a permanent name has not been selected.
- Department announced ceremonial groundbreaking; project remained out to bid.
- Forecast in October 14 announcement: Target start of construction, subject to procurement.
- Forecast in October 14 announcement: Target construction completion; opening planned for the 2029–30 school year.
Funding
DOE Capital Improvements Program. The annual plan identifies general-obligation bonds and Fair Share funds across several capacity projects, including this school, but does not specify this school’s individual funding split.
Recent news
Review of 73 stored official sources: Board and committee agendas and available minutes, current policy and guidance pages, budget explanations, the strategic-plan overview and capital-project publications. Agenda-only reports describe planned business, not outcomes.
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