HB2178 • 2026

RELATING TO SCHOOLS.

Education Parental Rights

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: ALCOS, GARCIA, GEDEON, MATSUMOTO, PIERICK, SHIMIZU
Last action: 2026-01-30
Official status: Referred to EDN, JHA, referral sheet 5
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on specific actions required for providing time and space for the pledge recitation, nor does it specify how often or in what context the pledge should be recited beyond daily availability.

Schools Must Allow Time for Pledge Recitation

This bill requires public schools with elementary students to provide daily time and space for the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and Hawaii Ponoi, ensuring no student is compelled or punished for not participating.

What This Bill Does

Requires public schools with elementary students to allow faculty and staff to provide time and space each day for students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and Hawaii Ponoi.
Ensures that no student shall be compelled, against their objections or those of their parent or guardian, to recite the pledge or stand during its recitation.
Protects teachers and staff from being disciplined for either deciding or declining to lead students in a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance or Hawaii Ponoi.

Who It Names or Affects

Public elementary school students
Teachers and staff at public schools with elementary students

Terms To Know

Pledge of Allegiance: A statement of loyalty to the United States of America.
Hawaii Ponoi: The state song of Hawaii, symbolizing respect for Hawaiian heritage and culture.

Limits and Unknowns

It is not clear what specific actions schools must take to provide time and space for the pledge recitation.
The bill does not specify how often or in what context the pledge should be recited beyond daily availability.

Bill History

2026-01-30 H
Referred to EDN, JHA, referral sheet 5
2026-01-28 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-26 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO SCHOOLS.
Education; Public Schools; Elementary Students; Recitation
Requires public schools with elementary students to allow faculty and staff to provide time and space each day for students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and Hawaii Ponoi.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB2178

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2178

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to schools
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

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SECTION 1.
�
The purpose of this Act is to build a
foundation of respect and love for the heritage of the State and the United
States of America by facilitating the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance
and Hawaii Ponoi in public elementary schools.

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SECTION 2.
�
Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to part I, subpart A, to be appropriately
designated and to read as follows:

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"
�302A-
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Pledge of allegiance; Hawaii ponoi.
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(a)
�

Each public school with students in grade kindergarten, grade six, or
any intervening grade shall authorize the school's faculty and staff to provide,
on a daily basis, time and space for students to recite the pledge of allegiance
and Hawaii ponoi; provided that:

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(1)
�
No
public school student shall be compelled, against the student's objections or
the objections of the student's parent or guardian, to recite the pledge of
allegiance or Hawaii ponoi or stand during the recitation of the pledge of
allegiance or Hawaii ponoi in any classroom or activity of the public school;

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(2)
�
No public
school teacher or staff member shall admonish, discipline, or harass a student
based on the student's participation or non-participation in a recitation of
the pledge of allegiance or Hawaii ponoi in any classroom or activity of the
public school; and

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(3)
�
No public
school teacher or staff member shall be admonished, disciplined, or harassed
for either deciding or declining to lead students in a recitation of the pledge
of allegiance or Hawaii ponoi in any classroom or activity of the public school.

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(b)
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In addition to the pledge of allegiance and
Hawaii ponoi,
schools may encourage the
recitation of other songs or poems that relate to national or state history,
culture, and traditions and evoke pride in the nation and state
.

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(c)
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A copy of this section shall be posted in a conspicuous location at each
public school that is subject to this section.

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(d)
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The department shall adopt rules under
chapter 91 to carry out the purposes of this section.
"

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SECTION 3.
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New statutory material is underscored.

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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Education;
Public Schools; Elementary Students; Recitation

Description:

Requires
public schools with elementary students to allow faculty and staff to provide
time and space each day for students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and
Hawaii Ponoi.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.