STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1793-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.C.R. No. 84

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.C.R. No. 84 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CREATE A PLAN THAT REMOVES CARCINOGENS FROM SCHOOL MEALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Education to create a plan that removes carcinogens from school meals.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Kauai Women's Caucus and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that student nutrition is closely linked to health, well‑being, and academic readiness, and that school meal programs play a significant role in shaping lifelong dietary habits. Your Committee further finds that processed meats have been classified by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer as carcinogenic to humans. Your Committee believes that transitioning school meals away from using processed meats and toward healthier, minimally processed alternatives will support student academic performance, physical development, and long-term well-being.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 84 and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair