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SR 78

ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO EXPAND THE HAWAIIAN IMMERSION PROGRAM.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stanley Chang and 9 co-sponsors

Hawaii senate resolution encourages Department of Education to expand Hawaiian-language immersion schooling to preserve indigenous language and provide culturally grounded education opportunities.

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#doe #hawaiianimmersionprograms #k-12 #kapapahanakaiapuni #ohe
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Bill Summary · SR 78

Legislative bill overview

SR 78 is a senate resolution that urges Hawaii's Department of Education to expand its Hawaiian language immersion program, which teaches students entirely or primarily in Hawaiian alongside English. The resolution does not create binding requirements but rather expresses legislative intent and encourages administrative action to grow the program's enrollment and geographic reach across the state.

Why is this important

Hawaiian immersion education serves cultural preservation and educational equity goals, as Hawaiian language enrollment had declined dramatically through the 20th century. Expanding access could provide more Native Hawaiian students with culturally grounded education while research suggests immersion programs can produce strong academic outcomes in both languages.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding requirements: Expansion may require significant budget allocation; the resolution doesn't specify funding sources or cost estimates, potentially creating unfunded mandate concerns
  • Teacher shortage: Hawaiian language teachers are limited; rapid expansion could face workforce constraints and require substantial training investment
  • Geographic equity: Rural and neighbor islands may have difficulty supporting immersion programs due to population size, raising questions about how "expansion" would be implemented fairly statewide
  • Language proficiency debate: Some stakeholders question optimal ages/methods for immersion versus bilingual approaches, and how to measure program success

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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