HB2338 • 2026

RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROMISE PROGRAM.

Education Housing

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: NAKAMURA (Introduced by request of another party)
Last action: 2026-05-07
Official status: Transmitted to Governor.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROMISE PROGRAM.

What This Bill Does

RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROMISE PROGRAM.
University of Hawaii; Hawaii Community College Promise Program Addresses the change in federal law regarding Pell Grants by amending the Hawaii Community College Promise Program (Hawaii Promise) to provide scholarships for ninety-five percent of a student's unmet direct cost need and exclude grants, scholarships, and other funding sources from the calculation of Hawaii Promise awards, thereby allowing students to apply such funds toward indirect costs, including housing, food, and other living expenses, to reduce financial barriers and support student success.
Changes Hawaii Promise from being a last-dollar award.
Authorizes Hawaii Promise to coordinate with federal student aid programs to maximize total financial assistance available to students.

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

CD1

Hawaii published version CD1

Plain English: HB2338 CD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB2338 CD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
2338 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 H.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII S.D.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: HB2338 HD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB2338 HD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
2338 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 H.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROMISE PROGRAM.

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Plain English: HB2338 SD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB2338 SD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
2338 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 H.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII S.D.

Bill History

2026-05-08 S
Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
2026-05-07 H
Transmitted to Governor.
2026-05-06 H
Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
2026-05-06 H
Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and none excused (0).
2026-05-06 S
Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
2026-05-01 S
48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
2026-05-01 S
Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 106-26).
2026-05-01 H
Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
2026-05-01 H
Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 106-26) as amended in (CD 1).
2026-04-29 S
The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Hashimoto, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Kidani.
2026-04-29 H
The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Garrett, Hussey, Amato, Muraoka; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-04-28 H
Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Wednesday 04-29-26 3:10PM in conference room 229.
2026-04-24 H
Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Tuesday 04-28-26 3:00PM in conference room 229.
2026-04-23 H
Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Friday, 04-24-26 2:30PM in conference room 229.
2026-04-22 H
Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 719).
2026-04-21 S
Senate Conferees Appointed: Kim Chair; Hashimoto Co-Chair; Kidani, DeCorte.
2026-04-20 S
Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).
2026-04-20 H
House Conferees Appointed: Garrett, Hussey Co-Chairs; Amato, Muraoka.
2026-04-16 S
Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 599).
2026-04-14 H
House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).
2026-04-10 H
Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 556) in amended form (SD 1).
2026-04-10 S
Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
2026-04-09 S
One Day Notice 04-10-26.
2026-04-09 S
Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3621) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
2026-04-06 S
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lee, C..
2026-04-01 S
The committee(s) on WAM deferred the measure until 04-06-26 10:31AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
2026-03-30 S
The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-01-26 10:03AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
2026-03-23 S
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
2026-03-23 S
Reported from EDU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3137) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
2026-03-17 S
The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDU were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Hashimoto, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Kidani, Fukunaga.
2026-03-12 S
The committee(s) on EDU has scheduled a public hearing on 03-16-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.
2026-03-10 S
Referred to EDU, WAM.
2026-03-06 S
Passed First Reading.
2026-03-06 S
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 98).
2026-03-05 H
Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Perruso excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.
2026-03-05 H
Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 809-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
2026-02-25 H
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
2026-02-23 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Wednesday, 02-25-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-02-17 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Lee, M., Poepoe excused (3).
2026-02-17 H
Reported from HED (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 300-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
2026-02-06 H
The committee on HED recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Garrett, Amato, Evslin, Kapela, Kila, La Chica, Olds, Woodson, Muraoka, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-02-03 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by HED on Friday, 02-06-26 2:05PM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-02-02 H
Referred to HED, FIN, referral sheet 6
2026-01-28 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-26 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROMISE PROGRAM.
University of Hawaii; Hawaii Community College Promise Program
Addresses the change in federal law regarding Pell Grants by amending the Hawaii Community College Promise Program (Hawaii Promise) to provide scholarships for ninety-five percent of a student's unmet direct cost need and exclude grants, scholarships, and other funding sources from the calculation of Hawaii Promise awards, thereby allowing students to apply such funds toward indirect costs, including housing, food, and other living expenses, to reduce financial barriers and support student success. Changes Hawaii Promise from being a last-dollar award. Authorizes Hawaii Promise to coordinate with federal student aid programs to maximize total financial assistance available to students. Effective 7/1/2026. (CD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB2338

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2338

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROMISE PROGRAM.

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

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SECTION 1. The legislature finds
that the Hawaii community college promise program (Hawaii promise) was created
to cover the unmet direct costs of attendance for eligible students enrolled at
any university of Hawaii community college.
�
Current law requires the inclusion of all
grants, scholarships, and other funding sources when calculating Hawaii promise
awards, which can reduce the benefit to students.

����
The legislature further finds that
removing grants, scholarships, and other funding sources from the Hawaii
promise award calculation will allow students to apply such funds toward
indirect cost needs, including housing, food, and other living expenses,
thereby reducing financial barriers, promoting equitable access to higher
education, and providing better support for students in completing their
academic programs.

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The legislature finds that recent
changes to the federal Pell Grant require updates to Hawaii promise to ensure
awarding practices continue to prioritize students and maximize the support
they receive.

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The purposes of this Act are to
amend Hawaii promise to maximize the financial support for students while
aligning with federal regulations; to amend Hawaii promise to exclude grants,
scholarships, and other funding sources from the calculation of awards; and to
amend the definition of "direct cost" to align more closely with
federal financial aid regulations.

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SECTION 2.
�
Section 304A-506, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended to read as follows:

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"
�304A-506
�
Hawaii community college promise program;
established.
�
(a)
�
Notwithstanding section 304A-501, there is
established the Hawaii community college promise program to be administered by
the board of regents.
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The program shall
provide scholarships for the unmet direct cost needs of qualified students
enrolled at any community college campus of the University of Hawaii.

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(b)
�
A student enrolled at a community college
campus shall be eligible for scholarship consideration for a maximum of eight
semesters if the student:

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(1)
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Qualifies
for Hawaii resident tuition;

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(2)
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Completes
and submits the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for each academic year
and accepts all federal and state aid[
, grants, scholarships, and other
funding sources
] that do not require repayment; provided that this
paragraph shall not apply to a student who enrolls in a certificate program;

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(3)
�
Is
enrolled in a classified degree or certificate program with six or more credits
per semester;

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(4)
�
Maintains
satisfactory academic progress, as defined by federal requirements established
pursuant to title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and
determined by the campus at which the student is enrolled; and

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(5)
�
Has
been determined by the campus to have unmet direct cost needs.

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(c)
�
Scholarships shall be awarded to the extent
possible based on available funds and on a greatest need basis.
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An award granted to a student shall be equal
to the student's unmet direct cost need, based on the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid calculation of need, less the amounts available to the
student from Pell grants and other scholarships; provided that the unmet direct
cost need for a student who enrolls in a certificate program shall be based on
a suitable instrument, as determined by the university of Hawaii, less the
amounts available to the student from grants and other scholarships.

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(d)
�
To maintain a scholarship under this section,
a student shall meet the requirements of subsection (b)(4).

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(e)
�
Notwithstanding any other provision of this
section, effective July 1, 2026, the Hawaii community college promise program may
coordinate with federal student aid programs to maximize total financial
assistance available to students.

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(f)
�
If any provision of this subpart conflicts
with federal financial aid regulations or federal law, the Hawaii community
college promise program shall be administered in a manner that preserves
students' eligibility for federal aid while providing the maximum permissible
state assistance.

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[
(e)
]
(g)

�
As used in this section, "direct
cost" means any cost directly related to a student's education, including
tuition[
; educational fees; and the costs of books, supplies, and
transportation between the student's dwelling and the student's campus.
]
,
fees, books, and supplies.
"

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SECTION 3.
�

Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.
�
New statutory material is underscored.

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SECTION 4.
�

This Act, upon its approval, shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

BY
REQUEST

Report Title:

University of Hawaii; Hawaii Community College Promise
Program

Description:

Amends the Hawaii Community
College Promise Program (Hawaii promise) to exclude grants, scholarships, and
other funding sources from the calculation of Hawaii promise awards, allowing
students to apply such funds toward indirect costs, including housing, food,
and other living expenses, to reduce financial barriers and support student
success.
�
Addresses the change in
federal law regarding Pell Grants.
�

Changes Hawaii promise from being a last-dollar award.

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