HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.C.R. NO.
42
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO MEET THE CRITERIA NECESSARY TO OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZE CHEERLEADING AS A TITLE IX SPORT IN HAWAII.
WHEREAS, Title IX of the federal Education Amendments of 1972 requires educational institutions to provide equal athletic opportunities for students regardless of sex, and recognizes that emerging women's sports is a key mechanism for fulfilling this mandate; and
WHEREAS, competitive cheerleading has evolved into a highly athletic, team‑based, and strategically complex activity that demands rigorous physical conditioning, technical skill, and year‑round training comparable to other varsity sports; and
WHEREAS, participation in competitive cheerleading has grown substantially nationwide, with thousands of high school and collegiate athletes engaging in organized competitions governed by established rules, scoring systems, and safety standards; and
WHEREAS, numerous athletic associations, including the National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association and USA Cheer, have developed standardized competition formats, certified coaching pathways, and recognized championship structures that align with the criteria used to evaluate varsity sports; and
WHEREAS, recognizing competitive cheerleading as a Title IX sport would ensure that high school cheer athletes receive equitable access to resources, such as certified coaching, athletic training support, facilities, transportation, and safety oversight consistent with other varsity sports; and
WHEREAS, recognizing high school competitive cheerleading as a Title IX sport in Hawaii would honor the dedication, athleticism, and accomplishments of local cheer athletes while advancing gender equity in school‑based athletics statewide; 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 Department of Education is urged to meet the criteria to officially recognize competitive cheerleading as a Title IX sport in Hawaii; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards to meet the criteria and classify competitive cheer as an interscholastic sport that is consistent with the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights' definition of a sport under Title IX of the federal Education Amendments of 1972, as amended; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to work with the Hawaii High School Athletic Association in developing guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for competitive cheerleading; 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 Executive Director of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association.
Report Title:
Competitive Cheerleading; Title IX