Senate committees back statewide financial literacy plan for high schools

The Senate Committee on Education recommended passage of SCR 66 and SR 44 on March 17, 2025, measures that request the Department of Education to develop and implement a statewide financial literacy curriculum plan for public high schools.

Supporters from the Hawaii Credit Union League, the Chamber of Commerce and private sector partners testified in favor. "This resolution is very important," Marvin Dang of Visa said in testimony describing the company's financial literacy work. Tonga Ho Poy of the Chamber of Commerce told the committee financial education can help retain students in the islands by improving economic readiness. Community advocates described longstanding legislative efforts and urged the legislature to provide accountability and resources.

Teri Ushijima, assistant superintendent for the Department of Education, testified for the superintendent and said the department has convened a financial literacy task force, published updated resources for principals and teachers, and is reviewing the vision for the high school graduate and required credits for graduation. She said implementation challenges include staffing and funding; the DOE has requested an appropriation for a dedicated financial literacy position to assist implementation.

Committee members pressed the department and Board of Education representatives about why financial literacy has not been required universally, whether it could be embedded in existing graduation requirements such as the personal transition plan, and what timeline the department could commit to for a statewide rollout. DOE witnesses described current options: some schools already offer financial literacy electives, a personal transition plan has a half‑credit course component, and the task force recommended that financial literacy be embedded in K‑12 with a path to a graduation requirement.

After discussion, the committee adopted the recommendation to pass SCR 66 and SR 44 as written. The committee recorded adoption with five members voting; the committee chair said the measures would move forward requesting DOE to develop and implement the plan.