Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB2338: Relating to the Hawaii Community College Promise Program.
Status: Signed into law, July 14, 2026
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.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to the hawaii community college promise program.
From the enrolled text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROMISE PROGRAM. 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. Existing 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. The legislature finds that recent changes to the federal Pell Grant require updates to Hawaii promise to ensure awarding 2026--3433 HB2338 CD1 HMSO NcD. ~ H.B. Page2 C.D. practices continue to prioritize students and maximize the support they receive. The legislature also finds that in accordance with article X, section 6, of the Hawaii State Constitution, this Act involves a matter of statewide concern. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to amend: (1) Hawaii promise to: (A) Maximize the financial support for students while aligning with federal regulations; (B) …
Sponsors
- Nadine Nakamura (D, 15) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Act 235, on 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1337).
- : Act 235, 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1337).
- : Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
- : Transmitted to Governor.
- : Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
- : Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and none excused (0).
- : Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
- : 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
- : Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 106-26).
- : Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
Votes
- Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1) (May 6, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and none excused (0) (May 6, 2026): 50 yea, 1 nay, passed
- none. (April 29, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Conference Committee Vote (April 29, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading (April 10, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- WAM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 6, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Housing, UH, The Hawaii Community College Promise Program
Common questions
- What is HB2338?
- HB2338 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to the Hawaii Community College Promise Program.
- What does HB2338 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to the hawaii community college promise program.
- What is the status of HB2338?
- Signed into law as of July 14, 2026. Latest action: Act 235, on 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1337). (July 14, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2338?
- Nadine Nakamura (D, 15).
- Where is the official record for HB2338?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2338&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.