HAWAII

Hawaii Sexuality Education Law and Policy

Hawaii Education Policy states that, “in order to help students make decisions that promote healthy behaviors, the Department of Education shall instruct students that abstention from sexual intercourse is the surest and most responsible way to prevent unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases [STDs] such as HIV/AIDS, and consequent emotional distress.” The policy specifies that programs shall help students remain abstinent, help currently sexually active students become abstinent, and “provide youth with information on and skill development in the use of protective devices and methods for the purpose of preventing sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.”

Hawaii's Health Content Standards also states that sexual health should be addressed and tells schools which content areas are to be addressed, but does not give curricula guidelines or suggest curricula and does not go into detail as to what should be discussed. Hawaii Education Policy requires that students complete a half credit in health education for graduation in elementary, middle, and high school. This does not have to include sexuality education.

Hawaii does not require parental permission for students to participate in sexuality or HIV/AIDS education nor does it say whether parents or guardians can remove their children from such classes.

See Hawaii Board of Education Policies 2100 and 2110.