STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1509-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2877

S.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 2877, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require and appropriate funds for the Department of Education to establish a one-year Student-Authored Book Publication Pilot Program for fifth graders at Kalihi public elementary schools.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual. Your Committee received testimony in support of the intent of this measure from the Department of Education. Your Committee received comments on this measure from three individuals.

Your Committee finds that literacy development, critical thinking, and student engagement are foundational to academic success, particularly in the elementary grades. Your Committee further finds that the establishment of Student-Authored Book Publication Pilot Program for fifth‑grade students will strengthen literacy and communication skills and increase student engagement and confidence in their writing skills.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Authorizing, rather than requiring:

(A) The Student-Authored Book Publication Pilot Program to be conducted at Kalihi public elementary schools and made available to students in grade five; and

(B) Each teacher participating in the Pilot Program to select a topic for their grade five class relating to Hawaiian culture or the local community;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000; and

(3) 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 Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2877, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2877, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair