Homeschooling in Hawaii

Hawaii is one of the more regulated states under Chapter 12 of Hawaii Administrative Rules (HRS §302A-1132). Unlike most states where you notify the state DOE or local district, Hawaii requires you to file your Notice of Intent (Form 4140) with the principal of the public school your child would attend if enrolled. Annual progress reports are required, with mandatory standardized testing at grades 3, 5, 8, and 10. ⚠️ ACTIVE LEGISLATION: SB 3193 and HB 2376 introduced January 28, 2026 would require homeschoolers to participate in MANDATORY IN-PERSON TESTING for grades 3-8 and 11 at public schools, plus kindergarten entry assessments and universal screening for grades 1-2. NO other state requires in-person testing. Bills opposed by Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii. Compulsory ages 5-18.

Legal framework at a glance

Legal options: One pathway — Compulsory Attendance Exception under Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR), Chapter 12, Title 8 (HRS §302A-1132).

Notification: Notice of Intent to homeschool: submit Form 4140 (Exceptions to Compulsory Education Form) OR a letter of intent to the principal of the public school your child would otherwise attend BEFORE beginning homeschooling. Resubmission only required when transitioning grade levels or moving..

Instructional time: No specific days/hours required by statute, but state references public school standard of 180 days and 1,080 hours per year..

Required subjects: No specific subjects required. 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.' DOE recommends Subject Standards as a guide..

Testing and evaluation: Standardized achievement test scores required at grades 3, 5, 8, and 10. Annual progress report submitted to school principal each year..

What Hawaii families need to know

**Notice of Intent** (Form 4140 or letter): submit BEFORE beginning homeschooling to the principal of the public school your child would attend if enrolled. Hawaii is unusual in requiring filing with the school principal — not the DOE or district. Notice must include: child's name, address, telephone, birth date, grade level, and parent's signature.

**Resubmission required** when: (1) family moves to another school's geographic area; (2) child transitions to a different school level (e.g., elementary to middle school). NOT required annually.

**No required subjects** — but curriculum must be 'structured and based on educational objectives as well as the needs of the child, be cumulative and sequential.' DOE recommends following Subject Matter Standards (subject standards are voluntary guidelines, not legal requirements).

**Annual progress report** required to local principal each year. For grades 3, 5, 8, and 10: must submit results of a criterion or norm-referenced standardized achievement test of the parent's choice, demonstrating grade-level achievement appropriate to the child's age. For other grades: may submit (a) standardized test score, (b) progress on a nationally normed test (equivalent to one grade level per year), (c) written evaluation by a Hawaii-certified teacher, (d) written evaluation by the parent (must include description of progress in each subject area, samples of child's work, plus list of texts/curriculum used in standard bibliographic format), or (e) results of Hawaii's Statewide Testing Program if parent chooses to participate.

**Standardized testing options for grades 3, 5, 8, 10**: parents may have child participate in Hawaii's Statewide Testing Program for free OR purchase nationally normed test (Iowa Test of Basic Skills, Stanford Achievement Test, California Achievement Test) administered online or through approved administrator.

**ACTIVE LEGISLATION 2026 — SB 3193 and HB 2376** (introduced January 28, 2026): would require homeschoolers to participate in MANDATORY IN-PERSON TESTING at public schools for grades 3-8 and 11; kindergarten entry assessment for kindergarteners; universal screening for grades 1-2. Would remove parent test selection, force public school test schedule conformance, require transportation to public schools. NO other state requires in-person testing. Bills opposed by Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii (CHOH).

**Recordkeeping**: maintain a record of the planned curriculum, test scores, and annual progress reports. Records may be requested by the DOE.

**No health records required** (no Form 14 or TB clearance) for homeschoolers per HI DOE.

**Withdrawal from public school**: notify the school you intend to withdraw from. Submit Form 4140 or letter of intent to the school principal.

**No state ESA, voucher, or tax credit**: Hawaii does not offer state-funded support for homeschool families. Federal Coverdell ESAs ($2,000/year) remain available.

**Sports access**: NOT guaranteed by state law. Some districts may allow homeschool participation; legislative advocacy continues but no law has passed as of 2026.

**HiSET option**: child must attain a passing score on either the GED or HiSET to be awarded a credential by the community school for adults — the only state-issued credential pathway.

Compulsory attendance: ages 5-18 (must be enrolled in school by age 5 by August 31).

Always verify current requirements with the Hawaii State Department of Education before filing any official paperwork. State rules can change.

Diploma recognition

Hawaii homeschool parents issue their own diplomas. The state does NOT issue homeschool diplomas, but parents may request a written acknowledgment from the principal at their child's designated high school confirming the student has been homeschooled in compliance with Chapter 12 (assuming all annual progress reports and assessments at grades 3, 5, 8, 10 were submitted). University of Hawaii system schools accept homeschool transcripts. The HiSET equivalency exam (or GED) is available for graduates who need a state-recognized credential.

Getting started in Hawaii

If you are new to homeschooling in Hawaii, here is the practical sequence to follow:

1. Read the statute. Visit the Hawaii State Department of Education website and read the current homeschool regulations in full. The summary on this page is a starting point, but the official statute is the final authority.
2. Choose your legal pathway. Hawaii offers specific options described above. Choose the one that fits your family before you file anything.
3. Prepare your notification. Gather the information required for your notice or registration — child's name, date of birth, address, subjects, curriculum plans, and anything else your chosen pathway requires.
4. File before withdrawing. If your child is currently in public school, file your homeschool notification before you send the withdrawal letter to the school. See our withdrawal guide for the full process.
5. Set up your record-keeping system. Even in low-regulation states, keep attendance records, a list of curriculum used, and samples of your child's work. See our record-keeping guide for what to save and how.
6. Connect with a local homeschool organization. Hawaii has active statewide homeschool organizations (listed below) and usually several local co-ops in each region. These are your best source of current, practical information.

Hawaii homeschool organizations

The following organizations provide advocacy, support, and current information for Hawaii homeschool families:

• Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii (CHOH) — Largest statewide Christian homeschool organization with legislative alerts — christianhomeschoolersofhawaii.org
• Hawaii Homeschool Association — Inclusive statewide network
• HSLDA Hawaii — Legal defense and member support

Local homeschool co-ops often meet in libraries, churches, and community centers throughout the state. A search for "Hawaii homeschool co-op [your city]" typically surfaces groups meeting near you. The statewide organizations listed above maintain co-op directories.

Beyond the legal requirements

Meeting Hawaii's legal requirements is only the foundation. The day-to-day work of homeschooling — choosing a curriculum, teaching multiple children at different levels, building a transcript — is the larger task. Once your legal compliance is in order, explore the rest of this site:

Homeschool360 • Hawaii State Guide