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HR 91

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO SUPPORT EXPANDED COMMUNITY ACCESS TO OUTDOOR PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES AND GROUNDS DURING NON-SCHOOL HOURS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Gedeon and 7 co-sponsors

Hawaii urges its Department of Education to allow expanded public community use of school outdoor facilities during non-school hours to increase recreational access.

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#communityaccess #departmentofeducation #publicschoolfacilities
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Bill Summary · HR 91

Legislative bill overview

HR 91 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Education to allow greater community access to outdoor school facilities and grounds outside school hours. The bill encourages DOE to develop policies that would permit residents to use school grounds for recreation, events, and community activities when schools are not in session.

Why is this important

Public school facilities represent significant infrastructure investments that often sit unused during evenings, weekends, and summers. Expanding access could increase recreational opportunities for underserved communities, strengthen neighborhood engagement, and maximize the public value of taxpayer-funded facilities without requiring new construction.

Potential points of contention

  • Liability and safety concerns: Schools may resist expanded access due to insurance implications, potential property damage, and difficulty monitoring who uses facilities after hours
  • Maintenance and operational costs: Increased wear on facilities could require higher maintenance budgets, and schools may lack resources to staff or supervise community access
  • Equitable implementation: Determining which communities get priority access, how to manage demand, and preventing displacement of lower-income users through informal gatekeeping

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

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