HR135

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	135
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

UrgIng the department of education to recognize robotics as an INTERSCHOLASTIC sport AND DEDICATE FUNDING TO SUPPORT ROBOTICS PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE.

WHEREAS, in 1999 the first robotics program was established at Waialua High School, and since then, the State has embraced robotics technology as both an educational and competitive platform; and

WHEREAS, in the past the legislature supported robotics programs through measures such as Act 111, SLH 2007, and other measures investing in Hawaii's emerging science and technology fields; and

WHEREAS, the legislature appropriated funding for scholarships for the State's first "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology" (FIRST) regional competition; and

WHEREAS, through FIRST and VEX Robotics, two major robotics programs for students in grades pre-kindergarten through twelve, Hawaii's robotics teams engage more than two thousand five hundred students from numerous schools across the State; and

WHEREAS, these robotics teams achieve national and international success and contribute to the community by leading local science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education initiatives; and

WHEREAS, unfortunately, since 2009, the State has lost numerous robotics teams due to insufficient resources and a lack of mentors; and

WHEREAS, unlike most extracurricular activities, robotics is conducted year-round, with each team having several mentors and the cost of hosting a competition exceeding hundreds or even thousands of dollars; and

WHEREAS, recent federal funding cuts have also impacted several Hawaii robotics teams, forcing their reliance on competitive grants, which are not guaranteed; and

WHEREAS, a lack of consistent funding has threatened robotics programs at Maui High School, James Campbell High School, and several others; and

WHEREAS, this has minimized the access to education that robotics provides in areas such as hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics that increases critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills among students; and

WHEREAS, it is crucial that the State joins states such as Texas, Connecticut, Arizona, and Minnesota which already recognize robotics as a sanctioned sport; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Department of Education is urged to recognize robotics as an interscholastic sport and dedicate funding to support robotics programs across the state; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Department of Education shall take the necessary administrative steps needed to deem robotics an interscholastic sport; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Department of Education shall conduct an assessment to determine the appropriate amount of fiscal support needed to maintain robotic programs across the state; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, and Director of Hawaii High School Athletic Association.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________