$46M extension secured for Native Hawaiian education
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Federal dollars that shape classrooms, childcare and Native Hawaiian language learning across Hawai?i are not drying up. After weeks of uncertainty, the United States Department of Education has officially started the process to extend $46 million for the Native Hawaiian Education Program.
The move follows an agreement between Senator Brian Schatz and Education Secretary Linda McMahon and keeps critical programs running for thousands of local families.
What the funding extension does
The Education Department formally issued a proposed waiver that would allow federal funding to continue for one additional year. The extension applies to 21 current Native Hawaiian Education Program grantees and would run through Sept. 30, 2027.
If finalized, the waiver will allow the department to issue continuation awards rather than letting funding lapse while broader program decisions are considered.
The $46 million was secured by Sen. Schatz through Congress and will support more than 60 early childhood education sites statewide.
These programs serve more than 3,000 Hawai?i families and include early learning services, home visiting for children under age five, workforce development for parents and ?Olelo Hawai?i language immersion programs.
“This is good news for Hawai‘i. This money helps thousands of young kids develop learning skills and gives local families more affordable child care options,” Sen. Schatz said. “I’m grateful to Secretary McMahon for working with us to protect this funding and will continue working every day to make sure Hawai‘i gets its fair share of federal dollars.”
Why the waiver matters
Under federal rules, project periods typically cannot be extended if new funding is involved. The proposed waiver will allow the department to bypass that restriction with the stated goal of continuity.
Education officials concluded that a lapse in funding would disrupt services that families and communities already rely on.
Grantees must still meet federal requirements since continuation funding depends on demonstrated progress, responsible use of funds and compliance with civil rights laws. Any activities funded during the extension must align with approved goals from the original 2023 awards.
Public comment process
The proposed waiver will be published in the Federal Register on Friday, June 5. The public will have 30 days from publication to submit comments through the federal rulemaking portal. The department will review those comments before issuing a final decision on the extension.
What stays in place and what comes next
The extension will not create new grants or expand the program. Rather, it will preserve existing projects and funding levels. The Education Department certified that the waiver would not have a significant economic impact on small entities and would not add new regulatory burdens.
If approved, the extension ensures that Native Hawaiian education programs remain fully funded through at least the next school year. For families and educators, it will mean stability in classrooms, childcare centers and language immersion spaces already serving keiki across the state.
Sen. Schatz will host a statewide telephone town hall to share updates and take questions from Hawai?i residents on Thursday, June 11 at 12 p.m. HST. You can click here to register.