Hawaii Homeschool Notice of Intent

Legal Foundation: HRS Chapter 302A

Homeschooling in Hawaii is governed by Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 302A and the associated Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) Title 8, which cover compulsory attendance exceptions. Hawaii classifies homeschooling as an exemption from compulsory attendance, and the state takes a moderately regulated approach compared to many mainland states.

Children ages 5 through 18 are subject to compulsory education in Hawaii. If your child turns 5 before August 1 of the school year, they fall under compulsory attendance requirements.

Notification: Required Before You Begin

Before you start homeschooling, you must submit a Notice of Intent to the principal of the public school your child would otherwise attend. You have two options for submitting this notice:

• DOE Form 4140 (Exemptions to Compulsory Education) - the official Hawaii Department of Education form
• A written letter that includes your child's name, address, telephone number, date of birth, and grade level, along with your signature as the parent or guardian

Good news: if you submit annual progress reports on time, you do not need to re-file the Notice of Intent each year unless the local school your child would attend changes (for example, if you move to a new district). You must also notify the principal if you stop homeschooling.

Curriculum Requirements

Hawaii does not mandate specific subjects, but your curriculum must meet certain structural standards. Specifically, your educational program must be:

• Structured and based on educational objectives as well as the needs of the child
• Cumulative and sequential
• Designed to provide a range of up-to-date knowledge and needed skills
• Tailored to account for the interests, needs, and abilities of the child

While not required, the Hawaii DOE suggests that an elementary curriculum may include language arts, math, social studies, science, art, music, health, and physical education. A secondary curriculum may include social studies, English, mathematics, science, health, physical education, and guidance.

Curriculum Record Keeping

You are required to maintain a record of your planned curriculum. This record must include:

• The commencement date and ending date of your homeschool program
• A list of materials in standard bibliographical format (author, title, publisher, and date of publication)

Keep these records organized and accessible. They may be reviewed if questions about your compliance arise.

Teacher Qualifications

Hawaii imposes no formal education requirements on homeschooling parents. You do not need a teaching certificate, a college degree, or any specific credential to teach your child at home.

Withdrawing from Public School

If your child is currently enrolled in a Hawaii public school, you must formally withdraw them before beginning home instruction. Submit your Notice of Intent (Form 4140 or letter) to the school principal, and the school will process the withdrawal.