HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i State Board of Education has adopted a new statewide policy establishing consistent expectations for student cell phone use in public schools.
The policy is intended to balance the benefits of technology integration with the need to minimize classroom disruption and promote a safe and respectful learning environment. Board members noted that while the policy establishes statewide expectations, its impact will ultimately depend on a thoughtful and consistent implementation plan aligned with the Board’s commitment to student learning and well-being.
Minimum requirements under the Board policy are:
- kula haʻahaʻa: Cell phone use is prohibited during school hours.
- Middle and intermediate school: Cell phone use is prohibited during school hours.
- kula kiʻekiʻe: Cell phone use is prohibited during instructional time. Schools may exercise discretion regarding use outside of instructional time, including before and after school, and during designated breaks, recess, lunch and free periods.
The Department will now develop implementation guidelines to take effect beginning with the 2026–27 school year.
At Thursday’s Board meeting, testifiers, including high school students, expressed support for limiting device use during instructional time.
“A lot of students definitely appreciated the fact that you give high schoolers a little more leeway, and certain students were very adamant about remaining flexible at the high school level,” Mia Nishiguchi, student Board of Education member, said during Thursday’s meeting.
“It is vital that students are living up to the effective usage of technology, especially with many moving onto post-secondary education or the workforce. They are not going to have any cell phone balance there,” she added.
The policy also requires that guidelines establish clear and progressive consequences for violations. Exceptions are permitted in limited circumstances, including during emergencies or perceived threats to safety, when expressly authorized for instructional purposes, when required for a student’s health needs as determined by a licensed physician, or when included in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).
The Department will begin developing detailed guidance and working with schools to support implementation during the upcoming school year. Additional information, including timelines and school-level expectations, will be communicated to families and staff in advance.
The Board’s action follows months of review, including statewide surveys of schools and stakeholder feedback regarding the impact of cell phone use on student learning and well-being.
