STAND. COM. REP. NO. 36-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2436

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Culture & Arts, to which was referred H.B. No. 2436 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ARTS INTEGRATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for arts integration coordinator or specialist positions within the Department of Education to support fine arts education and arts integration in public schools statewide.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Education Caucus; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that integrating the arts into public school instruction enriches student learning by fostering creativity, increasing engagement, and supporting academic achievement across all subjects. Arts integration also strengthens cultural identity and provides meaningful opportunities for students to connect with their communities through creative expression. However, many educators face challenges in implementing arts-based teaching strategies due to limited training, resources, and structural support. This measure addresses those gaps by establishing and appropriating funds for arts integration coordinator or specialist positions on each major island to offer technical assistance, develop professional learning opportunities, and build partnerships with local artists and cultural practitioners to expand high-quality arts education statewide.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Culture & Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2436, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2436, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Education.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Culture & Arts,

____________________________

JEANNE KAPELA, Chair