HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) and the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding confirming their shared intent that Kīlauea District Park’s facilities, including the Tom T. Nekota Kīlauea Gym Complex, remain under City ownership, management and operation following the subdivision of…

Nearly 12,000 additional Hawaiʻi public school students will receive free school meals this school year as HIDOE expands eligibility to more families.

Public school students are gaining hands-on experience in aviation and agriculture careers through state-funded internships.

HONOLULU — The latest cohort of the J-1 Visa Teacher Program represents the largest group for the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE). At the start of the new school year, 237 teachers will join the approximately 365 current J-1 visa teachers in classrooms across the state, teaching a variety of subjects in elementary and…

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education has already served nearly 145,000 free summer meals to children across the state, providing access to nutritious breakfasts and lunches while school is out for the summer. As of June 30, 74 participating public schools have served more than 52,000 breakfasts and 93,000 lunches through the U.S. Department of…

HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE) dedicated a new 55,000 square-foot gymnasium at President Theodore Roosevelt High School during a special event Wednesday. Student-athletes greeted lawmakers and invited guests before the blessing and lei ribbon-cutting. The $35 million facility features a double-height indoor gym court, locker rooms, mat room, weight room, first…

In response to growing demand for Hawaiian language immersion education, the Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE) has expanded its Kaiapuni program by adding schools, strengthening teacher recruitment and retention efforts and implementing a new streamlined enrollment process for students. Following the launch of a new priority placement process in February, the HIDOE Office of…

The Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE) has been recognized with four 2026 National School Communication Awards from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), earning honors for excellence in website design, publications, newsletters and social media. NSPRA’s annual awards program recognizes outstanding communications materials and campaigns from school districts and education organizations across the…

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) has appointed Richard Fajardo as assistant superintendent for the Office of Facilities and Operations (OFO), effective June 16. Fajardo has served as complex area superintendent for the Pearl City-Waipahu Complex Area since Jan. 2023, overseeing 17 schools serving approximately 12,800 students. He brings more than two decades of…

WAIMEA — In an outdoor courtyard at Waimea High, two seascape murals face each other, reflecting the journey students travel from freshman year to graduation. On one wall, a shark bears a menacing but toothy grin, staring down a blank scroll, while across the courtyard a honu smiles sweetly, floating beside 180-plus signatures of students…