HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.C.R. NO.
196
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
REQUESTING the board of Education and department of education to establish a working group to develop a climate literacy seal of excellence framework in Hawaii public schools.
WHEREAS, climate change presents significant environmental, economic, cultural, and public health challenges for the State; and
WHEREAS, preparing students to understand climate science, sustainability, resilience, and the civic and workforce implications of climate change is essential to long-term community well-being; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, Colorado enacted a law to award a seal of climate literacy diploma endorsement to students who complete certain courses and an experimental learning project; and
WHEREAS, Hawaii should similarly establish a Climate Literacy Seal of Excellence to recognize students who complete advanced coursework and experiential learning focused on climate science, sustainability, and community resilience; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Senate concurring, that the Board of Education and Department of Education are requested to establish a Climate Literacy Seal of Excellence Working Group to develop a framework for implementation in Hawaii public schools; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to consist of eleven members, including:
(1) The Chairperson of the Board of Education, or the Chairperson's designee;
(2) The Superintendent of Education, or the Superintendent's designee;
(3) One secondary public school science teacher to be appointed by the Superintendent;
(4) One secondary public school social studies or civics teacher to be appointed by the Superintendent;
(5) One Department of Education science curriculum specialist to be appointed by the Superintendent;
(6) One Department of Education career and technical education specialist with experience in sustainability or green workforce pathways to be appointed by the Superintendent;
(7) One faculty member from the University of Hawaii System with expertise in climate science or climate resilience to be appointed by the President of the University of Hawaii;
(8) One representative from a Hawaii-based environment or climate research organization;
(9) One representative from a workforce development or sustainability-focused industry sector; and
(10) Two public high school students, representing different islands or complex areas, to be appointed by the Superintendent in consultation with school leadership; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to develop recommendations that include:
(1) A proposed course sequence or academic pathway aligned with climate science and sustainability standards;
(2) Experiential or project-based learning requirements tied to community resilience, stewardship, or community-based problem solving;
(3) Criteria for earning the Climate Literacy Seal of Excellence;
(4) Professional development needs and credentialling considerations for educators;
(5) Alignment with graduation requirements, career and technical education pathways, and civic education initiatives; and
(6) A phased implementation timeline and resource considerations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to submit a report of the working group's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation or budgetary requirements to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, and President of the University of Hawaii.
OFFERED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
DOE; Working Group; Climate Literacy Seal Framework; Public Schools