STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2328

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2614

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2614 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the Department of Education to award a high school diploma to qualified persons who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the Armed Services of the United States or whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the United States Department of Defense, Department of Education, Office of Veterans Services of the Department of Defense, Hawaii Military Affairs Council, and five individuals.

Your Committees find that more than 70,000 residents of the State were not able to earn a high school diploma due to compulsory or voluntary military service during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Many other students also had their education disrupted by wartime practices, including internment. This measure would honor the bravery and sacrifice of the State's students during these wars.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Public Safety and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2614 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Public Safety and Military Affairs,

________________________________ CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair

________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair