Hawaii

The public schools enroll 187,000 students: 32% Asian/Pacific Islander, 32% Native Hawaiian, 14% White, and 10% Latino, with 50% living in poverty and 9% learning English. The State spends $11,743 per pupil. (Most recent NCES data)

STATE CONSTITUTION

The education article in Hawaii’s Constitution requires the State to “provide for the establishment, support and control of a statewide system of public schools free from sectarian control, a state university, public libraries and such other educational institutions as may be deemed desirable, including physical facilities therefore…proceeds of special purpose revenue bonds…may be appropriated to finance or assist…non-profit corporations that provide early childhood education and care facilities.” Hawaii Const. art. 10, § 1.

MAJOR CASES

Hawaii is one of only a few states in which no case has been filed challenging the State's education finance system.