Hawaii State Laws

Homeschooling Laws, Information, and Resources for Hawaii

If you’re living in Hawaii and are looking into homeschooling, you’re in the right place! This page provides the resources and information you need to determine whether homeschooling in the Aloha State is right for you.

Summary of Hawaii Homeschool Laws

Knowing the requirements for homeschooling in Hawaii is one key to successful homeschooling. Below is a summary of the homeschool laws in the state of Hawaii. You can find additional information on Home School Legal Defense Association’s (HSLDA) website as well: Hawaii HSLDA Reference

Homeschool Options in Hawaii

Homeschooling under the state statute. This is the only homeschooling option for families in Hawaii. See below for the steps you need to take when homeschooling your child.

Hawaii State Law Homeschool Summary

Homeschooling under the state statute. Here are the requirements for homeschooling your child under Hawaii’s state statute.

Provide a notice of intent to the principal of the public school your child would be attending before you begin homeschooling. The form or letter should include the name, address, phone number, birthdate, and grade level of your child as well as a parent signature. If you choose to stop homeschooling, you must notify the principal.
Make sure your curriculum complies with the state statute. In Hawaii, there are no required subjects to be taught, but the curriculum must “be structured and based on educational objectives as well as the needs of the child, be cumulative and sequential, provide a range of up-to-date knowledge and needed skills, and take into account the interests, needs, and abilities of the child.” While not required, these subjects may be included in any curriculum:
- Elementary school: language arts, math, social studies, science, art, music, health, and physical education.
- Secondary school: English, math, science, health, physical education, and guidance.
Maintain records of the planned curriculum, which must include: the commencement date and ending date of the homeschool program, the number of hours per week of instruction, the subjects to be taught, the method used to determine mastery of materials and subjects in the curriculum, and a list of textbooks or other instructional materials.
Submit annual progress reports to the local principal for grades 3, 5, 8, and 10. This should be in the form of a criterion or norm-referenced standardized achievement test of your choice, which demonstrates grade-level achievement appropriate to your child’s age. For other grades, the progress report may be any of the following:
- A score on a nationally normed standardized achievement test, which must demonstrate grade-level achievement appropriate to your child’s age.
- Progress on a nationally normed standardized test that is equivalent to one grade level per calendar year.
- A written evaluation by a Hawaii-certified teacher.
- A written evaluation by a parent, including a description of progress in each subject, samples of your child’s work, and tests and assignments with grades that demonstrate progress.
- Results of Hawaii’s Statewide Testing Program.

Hawaii State Education Resources

Here you’ll find websites for any questions you may have about education in the state of Hawaii.

Hawaii Department of Education: https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/Pages/Home.aspx
State of Hawaii Board of Education: https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/Pages/Home.aspx
Hawaii Education Association: https://www.hawaiieducationassociation.org/
List of Hawaii school districts: https://ballotpedia.org/List_of_school_districts_in_Hawaii

Hawaii Homeschooling Support Groups

Whether you already homeschool in Hawaii or are looking to do so, these resources are quite useful if you’re searching for support, co-ops, or answers to questions about homeschooling in your state.

Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii: https://www.christianhomeschoolersofhawaii.org/w/
Oahu Homeschool Mom: https://oahuhomeschoolmom.weebly.com/
Military Christian Homeschoolers of Oahu (MCHO): https://www.facebook.com/mchohawaii/
Homeschool Ohana: https://www.homeschoolohana.com/
Hawaii Homeschool Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HawaiiHomeSchool/466878366822753/
Waianae Homeschool Ohana: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WaianaeOhana/
Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) Homeschooling: https://www.facebook.com/groups/163326170416353/
Homeschoolers of Older Children, Oahu: https://www.facebook.com/groups/223878227763808/
Home Educators Residing on Oahu (HERO): https://www.facebook.com/groups/254133274792380/

Top Hawaii Homeschooling Field Trip Ideas

One of the many benefits of homeschooling is the flexibility to explore! Here are some ideas for amazing–and educational–field trips around the great state of Hawaii!