Hawaii · Some paperwork

Homeschooling in Hawaii

Hawaii asks you to file a notice before you begin. Here is what goes in it, when it is due, and what happens after.

VerifiedMarch 2026

Notice of intentFile every yearSubmit DOE Form 4140 (or equivalent letter) to the principal of the public school in the child's attendance zone. No specific deadline stated in statute, but should be submitted at the start of each school year or upon beginning homeschool.

Yearly assessmentYes, each year

Instruction timeNo minimum set

RecordsYour choice

How to start homeschooling in Hawaii

Written from Hawaii's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.

Withdraw from the school your child attends now
If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.
Send your notice of intent
Hawaii asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: Submit DOE Form 4140 (or equivalent letter) to the principal of the public school in the child's attendance zone. No specific deadline stated in statute, but should be submitted at the start of each school year or upon beginning homeschool. You will do this again at the start of every school year. It goes to Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) — principal of local public school for form submission and annual progress reporting.
Choose what to teach
Hawaii does not name required subjects, so your curriculum is your own decision. Most families still cover reading, writing, and math daily, and let interest lead the rest.
Keep a light record as you go
Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. Hawaii does not require you to keep records, but a simple folder of work samples makes transcripts and college applications far easier later on.
Plan the yearly assessment early
Hawaii asks for an assessment each year. You can choose from: Nationally-normed standardized achievement test score; Progress report on a nationally-normed standardized assessment; Written evaluation by a teacher certified to teach in Hawaii. Deciding in the autumn which route you will take saves a scramble in the spring.

Source: Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) — principal of local public school for form submission and annual progress reporting — hawaiipublicschools.org/enrolling-in-school/homeschool/. Checked March 2026.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it: Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) — principal of local public school for form submission and annual progress reporting
When it is due: Submit DOE Form 4140 (or equivalent letter) to the principal of the public school in the child's attendance zone. No specific deadline stated in statute, but should be submitted at the start of each school year or upon beginning homeschool.
How often: Every school year
Notarized?: No
Official form: hawaiipublicschools.org/enrolling-in-school/homeschool/
Ongoing reporting: Yes, once a year

Testing, portfolios and reviews

Assessment: Required each year
Ways to meet it: Nationally-normed standardized achievement test score
Progress report on a nationally-normed standardized assessment
Written evaluation by a teacher certified to teach in Hawaii
Named tests: Any nationally-normed standardized achievement test
Portfolio: Not required

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects: Hawaii does not name required subjects — the curriculum is yours to choose.
Instruction time: Hawaii sets no minimum number of days or hours.
Who may teach: No teaching certificate, degree, or credential is required of you.
Keeping records: No retention period is set. Keeping a simple folder is still worth doing.
Legal routes: Home instruction under Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 12 — submit DOE Form 4140 annually to local school principal; curriculum must be structured, based on educational objectives, cumulative/sequential, and appropriate for the child's needs and abilities; submit annual progress report using test scores, progress data, or written evaluation by a certified Hawaii teacher

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Diplomas: Hawaii does not issue state diplomas to homeschoolers. Families self-issue transcripts and diplomas. Accredited programs (e.g., Abeka Academy, BJU Distance Learning) provide recognized credentials.
College admissions: University of Hawaii system accepts homeschool applicants. SAT/ACT scores and parent-prepared transcripts are standard. Required grade-level test scores provide additional documentation.
Support for additional needs: FAPE entitlement ends upon withdrawal from public school. Hawaii DOE must conduct Child Find evaluations upon request.

Money your family can claim in Hawaii

No program on file yet

We do not have a verified Hawaii education savings account, scholarship, or tax credit for homeschooling families on file. That may mean the state has none, or it may mean we have not confirmed one yet — we would rather say so than point you at something we have not checked. State programs change often, so it is worth asking Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) — principal of local public school for form submission and annual progress reporting directly.

See the states where funding is confirmed →

Questions parents ask about Hawaii

Is homeschooling legal in Hawaii?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Hawaii. Hawaii has moderate homeschool regulation — some requirements apply but they are generally manageable. Koydo can track your compliance automatically.

Do I need to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool in Hawaii?

Yes. Hawaii requires families to file a Notice of Intent by Submit DOE Form 4140 (or equivalent letter) to the principal of the public school in the child's attendance zone. No specific deadline stated in statute, but should be submitted at the start of each school year or upon beginning homeschool.. This notice must be renewed annually.

How many instruction days are required in Hawaii?

Hawaii does not mandate a minimum amount of instruction time.

What subjects are required by law in Hawaii?

Hawaii does not mandate specific subjects, giving families complete freedom to design their own curriculum.

Does Hawaii require annual assessment for homeschoolers?

Yes. Hawaii requires annual assessment. Accepted methods include: Nationally-normed standardized achievement test score, Progress report on a nationally-normed standardized assessment, Written evaluation by a teacher certified to teach in Hawaii.

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Hawaii?

No. Hawaii does not require parents to hold a teaching certificate or any specific educational credential to homeschool their children.

Can homeschoolers participate in public school sports in Hawaii?

Hawaii does not have a statewide law guaranteeing homeschoolers access to public school sports. Participation may be at individual district discretion. Check with your local school district.

Worth knowing about Hawaii

Hawaii is an island state with a centralized DOE structure. Annual notice via DOE Form 4140 to the local school principal is required. Curriculum must be structured, sequential, and appropriate to the child's needs — no specific subjects mandated. Annual progress reporting is required using test scores (nationally normed) or written evaluation by a certified Hawaii teacher for grades 3, 5, 8, and 10. No sports access through HHSAA. No formal dual enrollment pathway. Homeschool families are fully responsible for co-curricular activities.

Who to ask in Hawaii

Regulator: Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) — principal of local public school for form submission and annual progress reporting
Official site: hawaiipublicschools.org/enrolling-in-school/homeschool/
Forms: hawaiipublicschools.org/enrolling-in-school/homeschool/

Free tools for your first year

Everything below works whether or not you ever pay us a penny. Use what helps with Hawaii's requirements and ignore the rest.

Transcript builderBuild a clean high-school transcript with GPA and credits, ready to send to a college.Paperwork generatorFill in your details and get the letter or affidavit your state expects, already worded for it.Printable worksheetsPrint practice pages by grade and subject for the days a screen is the wrong answer.Instruction day logTick off days as you go so the count is already done when your state asks for it.State fundingSee whether your state puts education money in your hands, and how to claim it.Starting guideThe whole first year in five steps, written for someone who has never done this before.

Other states

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Idaho All 51 →

This page was written from Hawaii's published rules and last checked in March 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) — principal of local public school for form submission and annual progress reporting. This is information for families, not legal advice.

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