Bills endorsed by Governor to strengthen education for students
Heck yeah, let's dive into the recent moves by Hawaii's Governor, Josh Green! On a groovy Friday, he put pen to paper, signing three bills all aimed at making life easier for keiki, or kids.
The first bill? Senate Bill 1300, kiddo. This one's a game-changer for families that are struggling financially. It'll grant more kiddos access to yummy school meals - no more hungry bellies here! Starting from the subsequent school year, kiddos whose fams are eligible for reduced lunch won't have to pay a dime, reducing financial stress and helping little ones to concentrate better on their studies, extracurricular activities, and personal development.
First Lady Jamie Kanani Green, with eyes a bit molten, hailed this as a triumph for the community. She acknowledged the tireless efforts of educators, legislators, and advocates who collaborated on this beneficial bill. Kam system, the Department of Education superintendent, and the leaders of the legislative squad all played significant roles in bringing this bill to fruition. Kudos to them all!
The bill takes effect on July 1, with Senate Vice President Michelle Kidani as its author. What's more? The bill offers free meals throughout the 2025-2026 school year for those who qualify for reduced-price lunches under the National School Lunch Program.
The following school year, it broadens its reach even further, offering free meals to all families classified as ALICE, whose income is below 300% of the federal poverty level. Hawaii's Department of Education is set for a funding chunk of more than $3.3 million over these two years to cover the cost of these free meals, helping approximately 15,000 keiki enjoy a hearty grub at school.
Gov. Green put it plain and simple: "Students should attend class eager to learn, not starving for sustenance." The Governor dreams of universal school meals in future, where every public school student can feast on yum-tastic and nutritious food, without any hoops to jump through.
Speaking of food, Green tossed a shoutout to his wife while signing the bill, ready to feed more bellies in Hawaii's classrooms.
And the second bill that got Green's John Hancock was none other than House Bill 862. What's this one about, you ask? Well, buckle up! It's a ride to tackle the pinch we're currently facing due to a lack of school bus drivers. Remember back in August 2024, when over 70 school bus routes got grounded? Green stepped in with an emergency proclamation to work around the problem by letting kids travel on different types of vehicles, operated by drivers with varying licenses.
He signed this bill last Friday, turning that temporary solution into something more permanent. As of now, school staff must accompany keiki as they travel on alternatives such as small busses, motorcoaches, or vans on the existing bus routes. It also opens up more options for the Department of Education to tackle the reliable transportation issue.
The third bill to land on Green's desk was HB 133, the brainchild of state Rep. Sean Quinlan of Oahu. This jazzy number is all about funding interscholastic surfing programs in schools, giving more kids access to the sporty Hawaiian wave-riding tradition that boosts their physical and emotional well-being.
The state's Board of Education approved surfing for interscholastic competition all the way back in 2016. However, only one in every five local athletic leagues offers surfing programs for students. This bill pledges $685,870 for the fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support these programs.
The funding covers food and travel expenses as the kids ride the waves in competitive surf programs, with Green imploring more athletic leagues to lend a hand and make sure keiki catch the perfect swell!
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- The Governor's signed bill, Senate Bill 1300, aims to improve the health and well-being of children by providing free school meals to those eligible for reduced lunch, thereby reducing financial stress and improving focus on education, extracurricular activities, and personal development.
- House Bill 862, signed by the Governor, tackles the issue of insufficient school bus drivers by making it permanent for school staff to accompany students on alternative vehicles such as small busses, motorcoaches, or vans on existing bus routes.
- HB 133, authored by state Rep. Sean Quinlan, focuses on the promotion of health and fitness by funding interscholastic surfing programs in schools, providing opportunities for students to participate in a traditional Hawaiian sport that boosts physical and emotional well-being.
- The Governor expressed interest in expanding the reach of free school meals to all students in the future, promoting a healthy diet for each public school student, and encouraging a deeper involvement in health-and-wellness activities such as sports and fitness-and-exercise.
