Hawaii’s Shocking Climate Literacy Seal: Will Your Child Get Left Behind in This New Race?

In an effort to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change, four notable resolutions have been put forward in Hawaii's state legislature. House Resolution 186, House Concurrent Resolution 196, Senate Resolution 152, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 161 aim to establish a Climate Literacy Seal of Excellence program for students across the state. This initiative highlights the growing recognition of the need to prepare future generations for the realities of a changing climate.

The resolutions underscore that “climate change presents significant environmental, economic, cultural, and public health challenges.” They advocate for equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of climate science, sustainability, and resilience, emphasizing that such education is essential for the long-term well-being of communities. The proposed working group would be tasked with developing the Climate Literacy Seal of Excellence program, which would include:

(1) A proposed course sequence or academic pathway aligned with climate science and sustainability standards;
(2) Experiential or project-based learning requirements tied to community resilience, stewardship, or community-based problem solving;
(3) Criteria for earning the Climate Literacy Seal of Excellence;
(4) Professional development needs and credentialing considerations for educators;
(5) Alignment with graduation requirements, career and technical education pathways, and civic education initiatives;
(6) A phased implementation timeline and resource considerations.

A report detailing the outcomes of the working group is scheduled to be provided to the legislature before the 2027 legislative session. This move follows previous legislative efforts, including Senate Bill 2473 and the identical House Bill 1925, which aimed to establish a climate literacy certificate program. Notably, House Bill 1925 has been amended to authorize rather than require the state Department of Education to establish such a program and successfully passed the House of Representatives on March 6, 2026. It is currently pending in the Senate.

Introduced on March 18, 2026, by Representative Amy Perusso (D-District 46) and seven of her colleagues, HR 186 and HCR 196 have been referred to the House committees on Education and Finance. Similarly, SR 152 and SCR 161 were introduced the following day by Senator Glenn Wakai (D-District 15) and two colleagues, and have been referred to the Senate Committee on Education.

This initiative reflects a broader national movement recognizing the urgency of climate education. As communities face increasing environmental challenges, from rising sea levels to extreme weather events, the importance of climate literacy becomes ever more paramount. By establishing a formal program like the Climate Literacy Seal of Excellence, Hawaii could set a precedent for other states looking to bolster climate education and preparedness.

Ultimately, the proposed program seeks to ensure that students not only grasp the scientific underpinnings of climate change but also understand its civic and workforce implications. By integrating climate literacy into the educational framework, Hawaii aims to cultivate a generation equipped to tackle future environmental challenges, fostering a sustainable and resilient society.