STAND. COM. REP. NO.  696-26

 

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 Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2436, H.D. 1, 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; HULI PAC; Sacred Light ʻOhana; Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Education Caucus; Chamber of Sustainable Commerce; Aloha Theatre; Ka Ohana O Na Pua; and numerous individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

 

     Your Committee finds that a well-rounded education includes access to high-quality fine arts instruction and opportunities for students to learn through creative expression.  Your Committee recognizes the value of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts' Artists in the Schools Program, which provides professional teaching artists in public schools, and further finds that arts integration complements this work by training and supporting educators to use arts-based strategies to teach academic content.  This measure supports fine arts education in Hawaii's schools by providing funding for arts integration statewide through island-based coordination, educator support, and strengthened partnerships with local artists, cultural practitioners, and arts programs.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2436, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair