How to start homeschooling in Hawaii
Everything Hawaii asks of a homeschool family, in order, from the state’s own sources, checked October 1, 2026. Each step links to a free tool that does it, and there’s a checklist to print at the end.
Step by step
Know what Hawaii requires
Parent gives a notice of intent to the local public school principal, keeps a curriculum record, and submits an annual progress report, with test scores in grades 3, 5, 8 and 10.
Required school ages in Hawaii: At least 5 on or before July 31 of the school year, until age 18 (HRS §302A-1132). Teacher qualification for this option: A parent teaching the parent's child at home is deemed a qualified instructor (HAR §8-12-19).
If your child is in school now, withdraw in writing
Send the school a dated withdrawal letter saying your child will be educated at home, and keep a copy. Hawaii also asks for a notice under this option (the next step); file it by its deadline.
File your notice
Required.
When: Before initiating home schooling.
What it includes: Notice of intent (DOE Form 4140 or a letter) to the principal of the public school the child would otherwise attend, with child's name, address, phone, birthdate, grade level and parent signature. Not renewed annually if annual progress reports are submitted, except when the child moves or changes school level. Parent must notify the principal when home schooling ends; child then enrolls in public or private school within five school days unless another alternative is presented.
Hawaii names its own form, affidavit or filing for this. Use that where it’s required; our letter can go with it as a cover letter or a record.
Plan your school year: days and hours
Hawaii doesn’t set a number of days or hours for this option.
No minimum days in HAR Chapter 8-12. No minimum hours; parent records the number of hours per week of instruction.
Planning about 180 days, as schools do, gives the year a shape and makes a move to another state easier.
Cover the required subjects
Hawaii doesn’t list required subjects for this option.
HAR §8-12-15: curriculum 'may include' — elementary: language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, art, music, health and physical education; secondary: social studies, English, mathematics, science, health, physical education and guidance.
Testing or evaluation
Required every year; see the details for grades 3, 5, 8 and 10.
Annual progress report to the principal, by: a nationally-normed standardized achievement test; a written evaluation by a Hawaii-certified teacher; or a parent's written evaluation with subject progress, work samples, and tests/assignments with grades. Test scores required in grades 3, 5, 8 and 10 (the grades the rule names; HIDOE notes public school students now take the high school test a year later, in 11th grade, so ask the school which year applies), available free at the public school or privately at parent expense. Adequate test progress = scores/stanines in the upper two-thirds; enrollment or educational-neglect action only after inadequate progress for two consecutive semesters, and not before grade 3.
Keep the records the state asks for
Required.
Keep a curriculum record: beginning and ending dates, hours per week of instruction, subject areas, methods of determining mastery, and textbooks/materials with full citations. Retention period not stated.
Start teaching
Put your books on a lesson schedule, and the planner spreads the lessons across your school days and moves them when a day is missed. Log attendance in a tap, and keep grades, a portfolio and a transcript as you go.
High school and graduation
No state graduation requirements for home schooling. HIDOE: homeschooled students cannot receive a public high school diploma; community schools for adults award a High School Equivalency Credential on passing the GED/HiSET.
Official sources for this option
Not confirmed on an official page: Exact due date of the annual progress report (rule says 'annual' only) not confirmed. Check these points with the state or your local school district before you rely on them; everything else above comes from the official sources listed.
Your Hawaii checklist
Homeschool Corral · How to start homeschooling in Hawaii · homeschoolcorral.com
- Read Hawaii’s rules for “Home schooling”
- Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
- File the notice (Before initiating home schooling)
- Set the first and last day, school days and breaks
- Choose curriculum for each required subject
- Note the testing or evaluation years and deadlines
- Start the required records from day one
- Make a first-week plan and start
Questions Hawaii parents ask
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Hawaii?
Yes. When: Before initiating home schooling. What to file: Notice of intent (DOE Form 4140 or a letter) to the principal of the public school the child would otherwise attend, with child's name, address, phone, birthdate, grade level and parent signature. Not renewed annually if annual progress reports are submitted, except when the child moves or changes school level. Parent must notify the principal when home schooling ends; child then enrolls in public or private school within five school days unless another alternative is presented.
How many days or hours do homeschoolers need in Hawaii?
No minimum days in HAR Chapter 8-12. No minimum hours; parent records the number of hours per week of instruction.
Do homeschoolers have to take tests in Hawaii?
Yes, every year; see the details for grades 3, 5, 8 and 10. Annual progress report to the principal, by: a nationally-normed standardized achievement test; a written evaluation by a Hawaii-certified teacher; or a parent's written evaluation with subject progress, work samples, and tests/assignments with grades. Test scores required in grades 3, 5, 8 and 10 (the grades the rule names; HIDOE notes public school students now take the high school test a year later, in 11th grade, so ask the school which year applies), available free at the public school or privately at parent expense. Adequate test progress = scores/stanines in the upper two-thirds; enrollment or educational-neglect action only after inadequate progress for two consecutive semesters, and not before grade 3.
Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Hawaii?
A parent teaching the parent's child at home is deemed a qualified instructor (HAR §8-12-19).
What subjects are required in Hawaii?
Hawaii doesn’t list required subjects.
What records do I need to keep in Hawaii?
Keep a curriculum record: beginning and ending dates, hours per week of instruction, subject areas, methods of determining mastery, and textbooks/materials with full citations. Retention period not stated.
Keep going
This is a plain-English summary of the state’s official sources, checked on the date shown. It is not legal advice, and laws change. Read the linked official pages, and check with the state or your local school district if anything is unclear.
Start homeschooling in another state: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming