Education

Brenda Jensen, Hawaiʻi Pacific University acting provost, and Lance Askildson, Chaminade University provost, spoke to The Conversation’s Catherine Cruz about the latest cuts each university is dealing with.

A private school founded by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop gives admissions preference to Native Hawaiian applicants. A leading opponent of affirmative action is challenging the admission policy of Kamehameha Schools, arguing it discriminates against non-Hawaiians.

The Association for Middle Level Education is an international organization that strives to improve schools that educate 10 to 15-year-olds. Each year, the organization gives out the title of “Schools of Distinction” to institutions that go above and beyond in elevating student success. This year, Moanalua, Kaimukī, and Āliamanu middle schools were all recognized, putting them among 24 schools across the country that were given this title for 2025.

A Virginia-based group, with no ties to Hawai‘i, has launched a website criticizing Kamehameha Schools' admission policy for students with Native Hawaiian ancestry. The anti-affirmative action nonprofit Students for Fair Admissions won major cases against Harvard University and the University of North Carolina over their affirmative admissions programs.

HPR's Ashley Mizuo reports on how the Office of Elections is pushing back after being accused of overcounting hundreds of ballots received in Kauaʻi County during the 2024 election; Honolulu Marathon President Jim Barahal shares that there's been an increase in runner signups in all categories

The bus driver shortage is no longer a state of emergency, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Education. This is a drastic change from last year when more than 138 bus routes were suspended, impacting 3,500 students.

The ACLU of Hawaiʻi on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the school, saying the policy discriminates against transgender students. The organization did so on behalf of the family of an unidentified 9-year-old transgender student who has lived openly as a girl since she was 5 years old, according to the complaint.

Steve Wood, president of the Aiea Community Board, discusses concerns he's heard from the community about the development of the new Aloha Stadium; Freelance investigative reporter Guthrie Scrimgeour reports on the Robinson family's ownership of 100,000 acres of Hawaiʻi land, including the island of Niʻihau

Kaimukī High School teacher Chu Hong advises students in the KHS W.O.R.M.S. Club, where they learn about sustainability, agriculture, and entrepreneurship. The Conversation's Laura Dux has more.

University of Hawaiʻi climate scientist Matthew Widlansky develops a new AI tool to help researchers explore complex data; Kaimuki High School teacher Chu Hong shares what her students are cultivating in WORMS club