Arts and culture measures at the 2026 Hawaiʻi State Legislature include arts education, arts and health, performing arts grants and more.
The Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) supports all the following measures as they passed out of committee this week.
An online community meeting to discuss these active bills will be hosted by the SFCA in the near future. People interested in the meeting can go to sfca.hawaii.gov for updates and to subscribe to the SFCA email newsletter.
Printable list: 2026_02-06 Arts and Culture Legislation update for SFCA (PDF)
- Arts Integration in Public Schools
HB2436, establishes within the Dept. of Education (DOE) arts integration coordinator positions and arts integration specialist positions to support fine arts education and arts integration in public schools statewide.
- Arts and Health
HB2605, establishes a position within the SFCA to support implementation and coordination of specialized arts programs and therapeutic arts interventions for underserved and neurodiverse populations. Appropriates funds for the position.
- Cultural Trust
HB2438, Establishes the Hawaiʻi Cultural Trust within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes an income tax credit for contributions made to the Hawaiʻi Cultural Trust and qualified Hawaiʻi cultural organizations, under certain conditions. Establishes a special number plate for motor vehicles to support the Hawaiʻi Cultural Trust.
- SFCA Artists in the Schools (AITS) program
HB2437, appropriates funds to the SFCA for the AITS program.
- Performing Arts Grants Program
HB1815, explicity applies existing grant standards to Performing Arts Grants Program grants under the SFCA.
- Music Accessibility
HB1764, Establishes the Music Accessibility Pilot Program within the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System to expand access to public concerts and musical education throughout the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000
- Performing Arts Special Fund
HB2604, establishes a performing arts ticket surcharge on the sale of certain performing arts tickets for an event held in the State.
- Works of Art Special Fund, Appropriation
HB2461, increases the ceiling for the WOASF. Appropriates funds for the maintenance, upkeep, and preservation of the State’s public art and collections. Appropriates funds for a collections manager position within the SFCA.
- Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra
HB1860, designates the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra as the State of Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra. Requires annual reports to the Legislature.
SB2603, designates the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra as the State of Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra. Requires annual reports to the Legislature.
- Arts Data Mapping
HB2117, Establishes the Mapping of Arts Data for Education Task Force to conduct a study and develop a comprehensive, publicly available statewide database and geographic information systems map of arts entities and programs engaged in arts and arts education. Requires interim and final reports to the Legislature
- Transferring SFCA from Dept. of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) to Dept. of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT)
HB2118, transfers SFCA and King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from DAGS to DBEDT, appropriates funds for positions within DBEDT.