Everything you need to know about homeschooling in Hawaii - a moderate-regulation state with annual notification to your local school principal, 6 required subjects, and no testing. Updated for the 2025-2026 school year.
Hawaii is a moderate-regulation state for homeschooling with a unique administrative structure. Under HRS Section 302A-1132, parents must file a Notice of Intent to homeschool, provide "structured and supervised" instruction in a curriculum "substantially similar" to public school, and maintain records of educational progress.
The most important thing to understand about Hawaii homeschooling is where you file. Unlike most states where you notify the state education department or your local school district, Hawaii requires you to file your Notice of Intent with the principal of your local public school - the school your child would attend if enrolled. This is the single most common point of confusion for new Hawaii homeschool families.
Hawaii is also unique in having a single statewide school district. The Hawaii Department of Education covers all islands, which means policies are applied uniformly across Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, and Niihau.
File your Notice of Intent with the principal of your local public school - NOT the Hawaii Department of Education, NOT the state office, NOT the district office. This is unique to Hawaii and the number one mistake new homeschool families make. Your "local public school" is the school your child would attend if they were enrolled in public school.
Hawaii has a single homeschool compliance path. Parents notify their local school principal and provide structured instruction in subjects substantially similar to public school curriculum.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal Basis | HRS Section 302A-1132 |
| Notification | Notice of Intent to local school principal (annual) |
| Attendance | No specific days or hours mandated |
| Teacher Qualification | None required |
| Required Subjects | 6 subject areas (substantially similar to public school) |
| Curriculum Standard | "Substantially similar" to public school |
| Testing | None required |
| Record-Keeping | Progress records and curriculum documentation required (keep at home) |
Hawaii requires your curriculum to be "substantially similar" to public school instruction. This does not mean identical - it means you must cover the same general subject areas. You have full flexibility in choosing materials, methods, pace, and approach. The standard is broadly interpreted and gives families considerable freedom in how they educate their children.
Hawaii is the only state in the nation with a single statewide school district. There are no local districts, no county boards, and no regional offices with varying policies. This simplifies compliance because DOE policies apply uniformly across all islands. However, you still file with your local school principal, not the central DOE office.
Hawaii requires that instruction be "structured and supervised." This means you should have an organized approach to education - a curriculum plan, regular instruction time, and parent oversight. It does not mean a rigid schedule, but it does mean your homeschool should be an intentional educational program, not informal or haphazard.
Starting to homeschool in Hawaii requires identifying your local school and filing your Notice of Intent with the principal.
Determine which public school your child would attend if they were enrolled. This is based on your home address. You can look this up on the Hawaii DOE website or call the central office. This is the school whose principal you will file your Notice of Intent with.
Submit a Notice of Intent to homeschool to the principal of your local public school. This must be done before you begin homeschooling and renewed annually before each school year.
If your child is currently enrolled in public school, send a withdrawal letter to the school in addition to your Notice of Intent. Request transfer of all student records.
Start your homeschool program. Cover the six required subject areas, maintain records of your child's educational progress, and keep documentation of your curriculum materials.
File your Notice of Intent before beginning homeschool instruction. Do not start homeschooling and file later. If withdrawing from public school, submit both your withdrawal letter and your Notice of Intent to the principal at the same time.
Keep a copy of your Notice of Intent and any confirmation from the principal. Send it via email or certified mail so you have proof of delivery. Blue Folder can generate your Notice of Intent and withdrawal letter, pre-filled with your information. Try it free →
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Generate your Notice of Intent, track your curriculum, and stay organized automatically.
Hawaii requires a curriculum "substantially similar" to public school instruction. This covers six general subject areas.
You must cover the same general subject areas as public schools, but you have full flexibility in how:
You choose your own materials, pace, and teaching methods. The "substantially similar" standard is broadly interpreted and provides considerable freedom.
Many Hawaii homeschool families also include these subjects:
Hawaii's natural environment provides incredible hands-on learning opportunities. Marine biology at tide pools, volcanology at national parks, Polynesian history and culture, and environmental science are all readily accessible and align well with subject requirements.
Hawaii does not mandate a specific number of school days or instructional hours for homeschool families. The law requires "structured and supervised" instruction but does not define this in terms of days or hours.
You set your own schedule. There is no requirement to follow the public school calendar, and you can school year-round, take breaks whenever you choose, or use a non-traditional schedule.
Even though Hawaii does not specify a day or hour requirement, keeping attendance records is a smart practice. It provides documentation if questions arise, helps with transcript creation, and gives you a clear picture of your school year. Most Hawaii homeschool families aim for 160-180 days of instruction per year, consistent with the public school calendar.
Hawaii requires no standardized testing or formal evaluation of homeschool students. There are no mandatory assessments, no portfolio reviews submitted to anyone, and no progress reports due to the principal or DOE.
You are required to maintain records of your child's educational progress, but these are kept at home and are not routinely submitted. The local principal can technically request to see your records, but this is rare in practice.
While not required, some families choose to administer standardized tests:
While the local school principal can technically request to see your educational records, this rarely happens in practice. If it does, remain calm and provide a summary of your program. You are not required to allow home visits or submit to any evaluation beyond showing that you are maintaining records and providing structured instruction.
Hawaii requires you to maintain records of your child's educational progress and curriculum documentation. These records are kept at home and are not routinely submitted to anyone.
Blue Folder tracks attendance, organizes work samples by subject, and builds a compliance binder automatically. In a state like Hawaii where records can be requested, staying organized gives you peace of mind. Try it free →
If your child is college-bound, detailed records become essential. Parents create their own transcripts in Hawaii. The University of Hawaii system accepts homeschool graduates with parent-created transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, and course descriptions. Contact UH admissions for specific requirements.
Hawaii currently offers no financial assistance programs for homeschool families. There are no ESAs, vouchers, tax credits, or tax deductions available.
| Program | Available? |
|---|---|
| Education Savings Account (ESA) | No |
| Vouchers | No |
| Tax Credits | No |
| Tax Deductions | No |
| Category | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Curriculum | $300-$1,500/year |
| Testing (optional) | $25-$75/test |
| Co-op Fees | $0-$500/year |
Hawaii homeschool graduates are accepted at the University of Hawaii system and colleges nationwide. Key Hawaii institutions include:
Requirements vary by campus - contact admissions directly for homeschool graduate policies.
Hawaii's primary deadline is the annual Notice of Intent filing. There is no specific calendar date set by statute, but you must file before beginning homeschool each year.
| When | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Before starting | Notice of Intent | File with LOCAL SCHOOL PRINCIPAL before beginning homeschool for the first time. |
| Before each school year | Annual renewal | Renew Notice of Intent with principal before each new school year. File in summer before school starts. |
| Before withdrawing | Withdrawal letter | Required only if child is currently enrolled in public school. |
| Ongoing | Maintain records | Keep educational progress records and curriculum documentation throughout the year. |
| When you decide | Graduation | Parents determine when the student has met graduation requirements and issue the diploma. |
Do not forget to renew your Notice of Intent each year with the local school principal. Set a reminder for summer - ideally July or early August - to file before the new school year begins. Blue Folder sends automatic reminders so you never miss a filing date.
Hawaii homeschool law is manageable, but new families frequently make avoidable mistakes. Here are the most common ones.
Keep copies of every Notice of Intent you file and any confirmation from the principal. This documentation proves that you are a registered homeschool family. Send your NOI via email or certified mail so you have proof of delivery and receipt.
Don't make these mistakes
Blue Folder tracks every requirement and keeps your records organized automatically.
Track Hawaii ComplianceDisclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Homeschool laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the Hawaii Department of Education or consult a qualified attorney. For more information, see the Hawaii Department of Education and the HSLDA Hawaii page. Last updated February 2026.