HONOLULU - The Hawaiʻi State Senate will recognize outstanding students, educators, and school leaders during Senate Education Week 2026 , hosted by Senate Education Committee Chair Senator Donna Mercado Kim (District 14 – Kapālama, Kalihi Valley, Fort Shafter) and Vice Chair Senator Michelle N. Kidani (District 18 – Mililani Town, Waipiʻo Gentry, Crestview, Waikele, portion of Waipahu, Village Park, Royal Kunia).  The weeklong celebration will take place March 16 through March 20, 2026, at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol, where honorees from across the state will be recognized during Senate floor sessions for their exceptional contributions to education and their commitment to student success.  “Senate Education Week provides an opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication of students and educators across our state,” said Senator Kim. “The students and educators honored this week are achieving at the highest levels while setting new standards for excellence in our schools. Their work strengthens our communities, uplifts their peers, and inspires confidence in Hawaiʻi’s future. As Education Chair, I proudly celebrate the accomplishments in schools across our state this week.”   Throughout the week, the Senate will highlight individuals and school communities whose leadership, innovation, and dedication are strengthening Hawaiʻi’s public education system and inspiring the next generation of learners.  “The 2026 Senate Education Week celebrates our students, educators, and school communities who exemplify excellence across Hawaiʻi,” said Senator Kidani. “This week shines a well-deserved spotlight on award recipients—students and professionals whose dedication, creativity, and leadership are transforming our schools. Across our islands, our teachers, administrators, staff, and keiki work together to spark curiosity, expand opportunities, and inspire achievement. Their commitment reminds us that the strength of Hawaiʻi’s future is built every day in our classrooms.”   AWARD PRESENTATIONS DURING SENATE FLOOR SESSIONS  Awardees will be recognized daily during the Senate Floor Session at 11:30 a.m. in the Senate Chamber at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol. The following individuals and schools will be honored during Senate Education Week 2026.   Monday, March 16:   2025 Hawaiʻi National Distinguished Principal – National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)  2025 National Outstanding Assistant Principal – NAESP  2025 Assistant Principal of the Year – Hawaiʻi Association of Secondary School Administrators (HASSA)  2025 National Middle Level Assistant Principal of the Year – NASSP  2025 Milken Teacher of Promise  2025 Hawaiʻi Association of Secondary School Administrators (HASSA) High School Assistant Principal of the Year, 2025 NASSP National Assistant Principal of the Year finalist  Complex Area Teachers of the Year  2025 Hawaiʻi Association of School Librarians (HASL) Outstanding Library Service Award  2025 John Philip Sousa Foundation Bandworld Legion of Honor Award  Tuesday, March 17:   Hawaiʻi Public Charter Schools Teacher of the Year  2026 Hawaiʻi State Teacher of the Year  2026 United States Senate Youth Program Delegates  2025 Hawaiʻi Association of School Librarians Golden Key Award  Wednesday, March 18:   2025 Hawaiʻi State Principal of the Year (High School) – Hawaiʻi Association of Secondary School Administrators  2025 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award  Daniel K. Inouye JVEF Outstanding Military Contributor Award  Mark Takai JVEF Outstanding Civilian Contributor Award  Complex Area Teachers of the Year  Thursday, March 19:   2025 Hawaiʻi School Counselor Association Counselors of the Year  2025 U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon Schools  Complex Area Teachers of the Year  2025 U.S. Presidential Scholar  Friday, March 20:   2026 Hawaiʻi LifeSmarts State Competition Winners (1st–4th Place)  Complex Area Teachers of the Year  2025 Milken Teacher of Promise  2024 U.S. Presidential Scholar  2025 Hawaiʻi Library Association Library Employee of the Year  2024 Hawaiʻi Association of School Librarians (HASL) Golden Key Award    EDUCATION WEEK EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES AT THE CAPITOL   Several events open to the public will also take place during Senate Education Week at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol:  Friends of the Library Book Fair  Monday, March 16 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Conference Room 224 Books available for purchase, with proceeds supporting the Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi and programs benefiting the state’s 51 public libraries.   Hawaiʻi Public Education Student Showcase  Thursday, March 19 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Rotunda Featuring student exhibits and projects from both Hawaiʻi public and charter schools across the state.  ###

HONOLULU - The Hawaiʻi State Legislature will be closed on Friday, March 13, following Governor Josh Green’s announcement regarding the closure of state offices due to potentially severe weather conditions.  All Senate and House committee hearings scheduled for March 13 will be postponed, and floor sessions in both chambers for Session Day #27 will not be convened.   Legislative leadership urges the public to stay safe and remain alert as weather conditions develop. State emergency preparedness officials encourage residents and visitors to monitor official sources for updates and instructions.  The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) provides guidance on preparing for severe weather and disasters at ready.hawaii.gov . Under the state Department of Defense, HIEMA also offers links for residents to sign up for alerts from their respective county emergency management agencies at dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/get-ready/ .  ###

HONOLULU- A Senate Certificate was presented to students from Kohala High School for defending their winning title in the third annual Kalo Challenge hosted by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education’s (HIDOE) Alternative Learning Programs Branch. Presented during Bishop Museum's 18th Annual Mālama Hāloa Kalo Festival & Symposium, the award marks the students’ third year in a row earning top honors in the Kalo Challenge. “Mahalo to the Bishop Museum for welcoming students participating in the Kalo Challenge to the Mālama Hāloa Kalo Festival & Symposium,” said Senator Donna Mercado Kim (District 14 – Kapālama, ‘Ālewa, Kalihi, Kalihi Valley, Ft. Shafter, Moanalua Gardens & Valley, Red Hill), Chair of the Senate Committee on Education. “Opportunities like this help students relate what they learn in the classroom to their community and identity.” The certificate was presented by Senator Kim and Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz (Senate District 17 – Portion of Mililani, Mililani Mauka, portion of Waipi‘o Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, to students from Kohala High School. L-R: Janet Bullard, Senator Kim, Clozieur Ke-a (student at Kohala), Cristy Nishimura and Senator Dela Cruz. In addition to their culinary creations, Kohala High's program also wrote the original song, “Generational Kalo” as part of their Kalo Challenge project. Clozieur performed the song following the presentation of the Senate certificate. Senators Donna Mercado Kim and Donovan M. Dela Cruz pose with Kohala High School students and their teacher, Aoloa Patao, after presenting a Senate Certificate honoring their win in the annual Kalo Challenge. The Kalo Challenge is the finale of a yearlong project where at-promise students from across the state learn about planting and cultivating kalo (taro) and then turn their harvest into an innovative culinary dish. Inspired by the Lahaina wildfires, Kohala High’s Naʻau ʻŌiwi students created “emergency kalo rations,” which included freeze dried instant poi, kalo paʻa, kūlolo and laulau. Kohala High Naʻau ʻŌiwi teacher Aoloa Patao emphasized the program’s impact on students in the Oceanic TV show Kalo Challenge, which aired in December 2025. “We use kalo as the centerpiece of our teaching, and it’s a great opportunity for them to find different ways to include kalo in their everyday lives,” Patao said. “I’m super proud of them.” “The Kalo Challenge encourages students to think about value-added products and entrepreneurship while working with one of Hawai’i’s most important crops,” said Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz. “This project-based learning helps inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders and entrepreneurs.” The HIDOE Alternative Learning Programs, Services and Supports aims to provide at-promise students with innovative instructional strategies and learning environments to improve their academic competencies and enable them to meet HIDOE-adopted state standards and graduation requirements. ALPSS provides transitional support services as at-promise students move from school to alternative programs, re-enter school successfully, graduate from high school, and prepare for positive post-secondary outcomes. “The Kalo Challenge highlights the incredible potential of our students when they are given meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities,” said Senate Vice President Michelle N. Kidani (District 18 – Mililani Town, Waipi‘o Gentry, Crestview, Waikele, portion of Waipahu, Village Park, Royal Kunia), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, “Programs like this help students discover their strengths while deepening their connection to the cultural traditions of our home.” “I am incredibly proud of the students from Kohala High School for once again rising to the challenge and representing our community so well,” said Senator Herbert M. “Tim” Richards, III (Senate District 4 –North Hilo, Hāmākua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, North Kona). “Their creativity, teamwork, and commitment to learning about kalo and our cultural traditions show the strength and promise of the next generation on Hawaiʻi Island” View additional photos here ###

About the Hawaiʻi Senate Majority Caucus ABOUT THE SENATE There are 25 members of the Hawaiʻi State Senate. Senators are elected to serve staggered four-year terms and are not subject to term limits. The presiding officer of the Senate is the Senate President. Other officers of the Senate include the Vice President, Majority Leader, Majority Caucus Leader, Majority Floor Leader/Whip, Majority Whip, and Assistant Majority Whip. The officers of the Senate are elected by a majority vote of the Senate members. The Hawaiʻi Senate Majority consists of 22 Democrats for the Thirty-Third Legislature, which convened on January 21, 2026 and adjourns Sine Die on May 8th, 2026.

OUR CAUCUS Stanley Chang Senate District 9 Hawai‘i Kai, Kuli‘ou‘ou, Niu, ‘Āina Haina, Wai‘alae-Kāhala, Diamond Head, Kaimukī, Kapahulu Lynn DeCoite Assistant Majority Floor Leader Senate District 7 Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Kaho‘olawe and Molokini Donovan M. Dela Cruz Senate District 17 Portion of Mililani, Mililani Mauka, portion of Waipi‘o Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village Brandon J.C. Elefante Senate District 16 ‘Aiea, ‘Aiea Heights, Hālawa, Pearlridge, Newtown, Royal Summit, Waimalu, Waiau, Momilani, Pacific Palisades, and Pearl City Carol Fukunaga Senate District 11 Mānoa, Makiki/Punchbowl, Tantalus and Papakōlea Mike Gabbard Senate District 21 Kapolei, Makakilo, Kalaeloa, portions of Fernandez Village, and ‘Ewa Troy N. Hashimoto Assistant Majority Whip Senate District 5 Wailuku, Kahului, Waihe‘e, Waikapu Mauka, Wai‘ehu Les Ihara, Jr. Majority Policy Leader Senate District 10 Pālolo, St. Louis Heights, Maunalani Heights, Ala Wai mauka, portions of Kaimukī, Kapahulu, Mō‘ili‘ili, McCully Lorraine R. Inouye Majority Whip Senate District 1 Hilo, Pauka‘a, Papaikou, Pepe‘ekeo Dru Mamo Kanuha Majority Leader Senate District 3 Kona, Ka‘ū, Volcano Jarrett Keohokalole Assistant Majority Whip Senate District 24 Kāne‘ohe, Kailua Michelle N. Kidani Vice President Senate District 18 Mililani Town, Waipi‘o Gentry, Crestview, Waikele, portion of Waipahu, Village Park, Royal Kunia Donna Mercado Kim Senate District 14 Kapālama, ‘Ālewa, Kalihi, Kalihi Valley, Ft. Shafter, Moanalua Gardens & Valley, Red Hill Ronald D. Kouchi President Senate District 8 Kaua'i, Ni'ihau Rachele Lamosao Senate District 19 Pearl City, Waipahu, West Loch Estates, Hono‘uli‘uli, Ho‘opili Chris Lee Assistant Majority Whip Senate District 25 Kailua, Waimānalo, Hawai‘i Kai Angus L.K. McKelvey Senate District 6 West Maui, Mā‘alaea, Waikapū, South Maui Sharon Y. Moriwaki Senate District 12 Waikīkī, Ala Moana, Kaka‘ako, McCully Karl Rhoads Senate District 13 Dowsett Highlands, Pu‘unui, Nu‘uanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Pālama, Liliha, Iwilei, Chinatown, and Downtown Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III Assistant Majority Whip Senate District 4 North Hilo, Hāmākua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, North Kona Joy A. San Buenaventura Senate District 2 Puna Glenn Wakai Majority Floor Leader Senate District 15 Kalihi, Māpunapuna, Airport, Salt Lake, Āliamanu, Foster Village, Hickam, Pearl Harbor, and portions of ‘Aiea and Pearl City

The official website of the Hawaiʻi Senate Majority Caucus. 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION WATCH HEARINGS UPCOMING HEARINGS FIND YOUR SENATOR OUR LEADERSHIP RONALD D. KOUCHI President of the Senate MICHELLE N. KIDANI Vice President of the Senate LORRAINE INOUYE Majority Whip DRU MAMO KANUHA Majority Leader TROY N. HASHIMOTO Assistant Majority Whip GLENN WAKAI Majority Floor Leader JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE Assistant Majority Whip LYNN DECOITE Assistant Majority Floor Leader CHRIS LEE Assistant Majority Whip LES IHARA, JR. Majority Policy Leader HERBERT "TIM" RICHARDS, III Assistant Majority Whip STAY CONNECTED: Load More