Hawaii School Choice Options
Hawaii does not have a voucher, education savings account, or tax credit for homeschool families. Homeschooling in Hawaii is privately funded. Parents choose and pay for their own curriculum and testing. Hawaii has also not opted in to the new federal scholarship tax credit. That was the IRS list as of October 22, 2026. Families who want public funding can choose a public charter school instead. Some charter schools offer online or blended programs. Charter students are public school students, though, not homeschoolers. They follow public school rules and state testing.
Day to day, homeschoolers can still use some public services. Your child may take state tests free at the local public school in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10. Children certified as needing special education may get services at the home school site. Homeschoolers may also take college entrance exams offered to other students. Each school decides whether homeschoolers may join classes or sports. Ask your local principal about the policy before you plan around it. Older students may also earn a diploma through the community school for adults. In 2026, two bills on in-person state testing died at session end. For full details on each topic, open the sections below.
Hawaii has no voucher, education savings account, or state tax credit for homeschool or private school expenses. Homeschooling families fund their own programs. See our Hawaii Homeschool Laws page for the rules that apply to homeschooling.
The federal scholarship tax credit (Internal Revenue Code section 25F) begins January 1, 2027, in states that opt in. Hawaii was not on the IRS list of participating states as of October 22, 2026 (IRS: FSTC Participating States).
Hawaii has public charter schools, including some with online or blended programs. They are tuition-free public schools (HIDOE: Charter Schools). A child enrolled in a charter school is a public school student, not a homeschooler, and follows public school requirements such as state testing.
- State testing: Homeschooled children may take the Statewide Testing Program at the local public school (HAR § 8-12-18).
- Special education: Children evaluated and certified as needing services may receive them at the home public school site (HAR § 8-12-14).
- College entrance exams: Homeschoolers may take any college entrance exam offered to other students (HAR § 8-12-22).
- Classes and sports: No state law grants access. Schools and districts decide (HSLDA: Public School Access in Hawaii).
In 2026, HB 2376 and SB 3193 would have required homeschool students to take state tests in person at public schools and would have banned third-party achievement tests. HB 2376 was deferred in February, and both bills died when the session ended (HSLDA: SB 3193 / HB 2376).
- Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 8-12
- Hawaii Department of Education: Homeschool and Charter Schools
- IRS: Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Participating States (as of October 22, 2026)
- HSLDA: Public School Access in Hawaii; HSLDA: SB 3193 / HB 2376
Last reviewed: November 4, 2026
*The information on this page is for general use only. It should not be taken as legal advice. It is believed to be accurate however state and federal laws change every year. Homeschool.net recommends joining an organization such as the Home School Legal Defense Association before your homeschooling adventure begins. HSLDA can provide complete, accurate, legal advice and services for homeschooling families.
Update History
No changes in law noted since this page was first published.