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HB1491
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
1491
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to education
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
�
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Education for
Sustainability and Cultural Competency Act".
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SECTION 2.
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The legislature finds that a comprehensive
approach to embedding sustainability and cultural competency in the State's
public education system and higher education institutions is needed to ensure
that Hawaii's students and educators are aligned with the State's climate goals
and sustainability principles.
�
Such an
approach will align Hawaii's education system with the principles of aloha
ʻ
aina, preparing
students to engage with and address the challenges of climate change while
fostering cultural competency through the inclusion of traditional Hawaiian
ecological knowledge and values, and is a matter of statewide concern.
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The purpose of this Act is to:
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(1)
�
Integrate climate
education, environmental sustainability, and indigenous knowledge into the K-12
curriculum to ensure that students are prepared to address Hawaii's unique
ecological challenges and uphold cultural stewardship;
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(2)
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Establish teacher
training and professional development programs to support educators in teaching
sustainability and indigenous knowledge effectively;
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(3)
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Expand higher
education programs to incorporate sustainability and cultural competency across
all fields of study within the university of Hawaii system; and
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(4)
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Create
accountability measures and sustainability audits to ensure successful
implementation of the curriculum and promote the adoption of sustainable
practices in the State's public schools and the university of Hawaii system.
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SECTION 3.
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Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding three new sections to be appropriately designated and to read
as follows:
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"
�302A-
�
Climate education and environmental
sustainability
; curricula
plan; public schools.
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(a)
�
The department shall develop and implement a
statewide curricula plan for public school students in kindergarten through
twelfth grade that integrates climate education and environmental
sustainability as part of the curricula.
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(b)
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The department shall include in the curricula
plan required pursuant to this section:
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(1)
�
Hands-on
learning opportunities, project-based learning, and place-based education, with
a focus on the State's unique environmental and cultural context;
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(2)
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Education
regarding indigenous knowledge, particularly traditional Hawaiian ecological practices,
which involves partnerships with local kupuna, cultural practitioners, and
environmental organizations to provide students with direct, culturally
grounded learning experiences; and
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(3)
�
Civic
engagement opportunities focusing on climate change and sustainability issues
through sustainability clubs, service projects, and partnerships with local
organizations.
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�302A-
�
Climate
education and environmental sustainability; teacher development programs.
�
(a)
�
The department shall enter into a contract or agreement with one or more
entities to develop and implement climate education and environmental
sustainability teacher development programs; provided that an entity shall be:
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(1)
�
An educational
agency, including a charter educational agency, or a consortia of educational
agencies in the State;
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(2)
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An institution
of higher education located in the State; or
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(3)
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A nationally
recognized provider of effective climate education and environmental
sustainability professional development.
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(b)
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An entity that intends to enter into a
contract or agreement with the department pursuant to this section shall first
submit a proposal to the department that, at minimum, shall address how the
entity plans to:
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(1)
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Instruct
teachers with varying levels of knowledge and experience in climate education
and environmental sustainability;
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(2)
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Utilize
effective practices for professional development;
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(3)
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Instruct
teachers how to effectively teach students in climate education and
environmental sustainability;
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(4)
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Adapt its instruction to
accommodate the particular needs of teachers in different schools and complex
areas; and
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(5)
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Meet other
requirements established by the department.
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�302A-
�
Sustainability
audit; school campuses.
�
The department shall conduct annual
sustainability audits across all department school campuses to assess the
progress of each school campus in integrating sustainability into the campus's
curriculum and operations, including energy use, waste management, and water
conservation.
"
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SECTION 4.
�
Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding three new sections to be appropriately designated and to read
as follows:
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"
�304A-
�
Climate education and environmental
sustainability courses
; general
education requirement.
�
(a)
�
The university shall develop and implement a series
of courses on climate education and environmental sustainability to be offered
at each campus within the university system.
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Completion of the coursework shall be required by every student,
regardless of major, prior to graduation.
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(b)
�
The climate education and environmental
sustainability courses shall include civic engagement opportunities focusing on
climate change and sustainability issues through sustainability clubs, service
projects, and partnerships with local organizations.
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�304A-
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University of Hawaii; sustainability
practices
.
�
(a)
�
The university establish sustainability practices to be implemented
across all campuses of the university system to promote sustainability and
shall include:
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(1)
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The creation of
living laboratories where students of can study renewable energy, waste
reduction, water conservation, and sustainable land use; and
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(2)
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Internships and
research opportunities focused on sustainability.
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�304A-
�
Sustainability
audit; university campuses.
�
The university shall conduct annual
sustainability audits across all campuses of the university system to assess
the progress of each campus in integrating sustainability into the campus's
courses and operations, including energy use, waste management, and water
conservation.
"
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SECTION 5.
�
New statutory material is underscored.
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SECTION 6.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Education;
Sustainability; Cultural Competency; Department of Education; University of
Hawaii
Description:
Requires the Department of Education to develop and
implement a climate education, environmental sustainability, and indigenous
knowledge into the K-12 curriculum and climate education and environmental
sustainability teacher training and professional development programs.
�
Requires the University of Hawaii to develop
and implement a series of courses on climate education and environmental
sustainability, to be completed by every student prior to the student's
graduation, and establish sustainability practices across all university
campuses to promote sustainability.
�
Requires the Department of Education and University of Hawaii to conduct
annual sustainability audits across their respective campuses to assess the
progress of each campus in integrating sustainability into their curriculum and
operations.
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