HI HB1986

Requires at least one at-large member of the Hawaii Board of Education to be a Hawaiian immersion expert selected from a list of three nominees submitted jointly by the president of the senate, speaker of the house of representatives, and office of Hawaiian affairs.

The governor appoints the Hawaiian immersion expert from the three nominees provided, with senate confirmation required.

Establishes this requirement to ensure appropriate representation of the Hawaiian community on the board and to fulfill the state's constitutional duty to promote Hawaiian studies and language in public schools.

Notes that Native Hawaiians comprise approximately 24 percent of the state's student population and that the state currently supports 27 Hawaiian immersion public schools and six public charter schools serving over 3,300 students.

Effective July 1, 2050, with the requirement fulfilled by the individual appointed to fill the next at-large member vacancy on the board of education, regardless of when the vacancy occurs.