Hawaii HB2344: Relating to School Facilities.

What the bill says

A bill for an act relating to school facilities.

From the enrolled text:

A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES. SECTION 1. Thelegislature finds that Hawaii's public school system is a foundational public asset that is facing significant challenges. Projections from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education indicate that Hawaii is expected to experience the nation's steepest decline in high school graduates over the next sixteen years, with enrollment decreases likely to accelerate. The legislature further finds that, while statewide public school enrollment today is nearly the same as it was in 1961, the number of schools has increased by approximately twenty per cent. Decades of enrollment growth led to the construction of new campuses, but the recent and continuing decline in student numbers has left many facilities underutilized. This imbalance has created operational inefficiencies and diverted resources that could otherwise be used to support student learning or modernize facilities in high-need areas. The legislature also finds that prior efforts to consolidate or close schools have 2026--3490 HB2344 CD1 HMSO H.B. NO. ~ Page2 C.D. often been slow, inconsistent, and subject to political delay. In light of declining enrollment, potential reductions in federal funding, and the State's need for fiscal prudence, a proactive and data-driven process is required to optimize the public school system for the twenty-first century. The legislature additionally finds that the federal Base Realignment and Closure process …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Kyle Yamashita (D, 12) · primary sponsor
• Cory Chun (D, 35)
• Andrew Garrett (D, 22)
• Mark Hashem (D, 19)
• Linda Ichiyama (D, 31)
• Greggor Ilagan (D, 4)
• Sam Kong (D, HD-033)
• Michael Lee (D, 50)
• Lisa Marten (D, 51)
• Tyson Miyake (D, 10)
• Julie Reyes Oda (R, 40)
• Gregg Takayama (D, 34)

Latest actions

1. July 15, 2026: Act 264, on 07/15/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1367).
2. July 15, 2026: Act 264, 07/15/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1367).
3. June 26, 2026: Notice of intent to veto (Gov. Msg. No. 1264)
4. June 26, 2026: Notice of Intent to veto dated 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1264)
5. May 8, 2026: Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
6. May 7, 2026: Transmitted to Governor.
7. May 6, 2026: Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
8. May 6, 2026: Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Iwamoto voting no (1) and none excused (0).
9. May 6, 2026: Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Fukunaga. Noes, 1 (Senator(s) Elefante). Excused, 0 (none).
10. May 1, 2026: 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26

Votes

• Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1) (May 6, 2026): 24 yea, 1 nay, passed
• Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Iwamoto voting no (1) and none excused (0) (May 6, 2026): 50 yea, 1 nay, passed
• none. (May 1, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Conference Committee Vote (May 1, 2026): 2 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2) (April 14, 2026): 24 yea, 1 nay, passed
• WAM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 6, 2026): 9 yea, 3 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB2344?

HB2344 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to School Facilities.

What does HB2344 do?

In its own words: A bill for an act relating to school facilities.

What is the status of HB2344?

Signed into law as of July 15, 2026. Latest action: Act 264, on 07/15/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1367). (July 15, 2026).

Who sponsored HB2344?

Kyle Yamashita (D, 12), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB2344?

On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2344&year=2026