HAWAII’S HOMESCHOOL HISTORY
It’s 2026, and the story of Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii and homeschooling continues!
IN THE BEGINNING
1983 – Where were you? This was about the time that the idea about homeschooling reached the shores of Hawaii. At that time, it was illegal to teach your own children at home. Some parents went underground; a woman was even arrested for truancy.
A few parents began secret meetings to discuss the legality of homeschooling and to learn about laws being passed in other states. Then …
GOD OPENED THE DOOR
In 1987, parents worked with a Christian representative to draw up a homeschool bill. The parents testified before the Senate Education Committee and were directed by the committee chair to contact the Board of Education.
Monthly meetings began with the BOE to iron out differences and convince the Board that parents have the ultimate responsibility for their children. The Board’s viewpoint was the exact opposite; there were discouraging times. But God is faithful and …
GOD GAVE THE VICTORY
In 1988, the Board of Education approved Hawaii’s homeschool regulation under Chapter 12 Rule – Compulsory Attendance Exceptions. Parent-directed, privately-funded home education became a reality! God is sovereign; God is good!
BIRTH OF CHRISTIAN HOMESCHOOLERS OF HAWAII
With the approval of Hawaii’s homeschool law, Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii was born in 1988.
As a non-profit organization, CHOH’s mission has been to promote home education, protect homeschool freedom, and provide support to homeschooling families. CHOH’s main activity was an annual homeschool conference with speakers, workshops, and a curriculum hall. Other major events included a used book fair, and a mom’s tea. But there were ….
CHALLENGES OVER THE YEARSTwo THREE major incidents remind us that our sovereign God cares for His people and will always protect them.
It was 1994; how old were you then? Imagine, if you can, a time when there was no internet or email – just snail mail and landlines. A bill had been introduced in Congress that would have required all teachers – including homeschooling parents – to be certified to teach particular subjects.
Homeschoolers across the nation – including Hawaii – literally shutdown the Washington DC switchboard with phone calls expressing support for an amendment to exempt homeschooling parents from the teacher certification requirements. If this bill had passed, many of you would not be homeschooling today. God gave the victory! He is good!
Fast forward to January 2018; God showed His love again. Senate Bill 2323 was introduced in the State Senate that would have required homeschool parents to undergo a background check with Child Welfare Services before being allowed to homeschool their children. Together with Home School Legal Defense Association, CHOH sprang into action with emails, phone calls, and texts to homeschoolers to contact Representatives and Senators, Committee Chair and members to express their opposition to the bill.
CHOH organized a rally on Valentine’s Day, February 14, the day of the bill’s hearing. With over 400 supporters in attendance, homeschoolers filled the hearing room and hallways. Over 100 testimonies opposing SB 2323 were submitted. God turned the heart of the legislators. The bill was withdrawn! God gave the victory. He is good!
Eight years later in 2026, companion bills, SB 3193 and HB 2376 were introduced in the State Senate and House. These bills would require homeschool students to take state assessments in person at their local public school instead of allowing parents to choose among several evaluation options currently allowed under Hawaii law.
By God’s providence,
- CHOH had scheduled Homeschool Capitol Day on February 3, 2026, an annual event for homeschoolers to visit their legislators and share information about CHOH and homeschooling.
- A Zoom meeting, How to Write a Testimony was also on the calendar for January 29.
- CHOH learned about the Senate and House bills two days before the Zoom meeting.
Chance? No way! God ordains all things and it was clear this was His providence for CHOH to explain the impact of this bill and prepare families to submit testimony.
CHOH posted on social media and sent a Legislative Alert to families informing about the bill and the action to take. Most important was prayer for the Lord’s merciful intervention!
On Homeschool Capitol Day, homeschoolers visited their legislators and politely expressed their opposition to these bills! Then we prayed and waited. God’s answer was a House Education Committee hearing on February 17th. CHOH again mobilized homeschoolers to call and email members of the committee to express opposition to the bill. Parents and children were also encouraged to submit written testimony and consider presenting oral testimony at the hearing.
February 3rd, day of the hearing
- CHOH scheduled a rally at the Capitol and contacted a local news agency.
- Three hundred plus homeschoolers gathered, united to opposed HB 2376.
- Homeschool leaders, parents, teens, and children (as young as 6 years old) gave oral testimonies opposing the bill.
By God’s grace, the bill was deferred! Deferred means the bill is dead for this legislative year but can be re-introduced next year. So the work is not done. CHOH and homeschoolers must be alert and watchful to protect our responsibilities and freedom to home educate and disciple our children according to the Word of God.
Why share this part of history –
- #1 So we know that our freedom to homeschool was won by God’s grace working in parents committed to the cause to home educate and disciple their children for the Lord.
- #2 So we all remain vigilant to protect our homeschool freedom granted to us by God’s mercy and grace.
Today
CHOH continues to promote, protect, and provide support to homeschoolers. We continue to look for ways to serve you.
CHOH is here to serve you year-round!
- We are available to answer your questions whether it be phone calls, emails or face to face meetings.
- You can find resource articles and videos on our website – Getting Started, Record keeping, Testing, High School and Beyond, and more.
- We provide workshops and seminars to help and encourage families begin and continue their homeschool journey through high school.
- We will continue to protect homeschool freedom
- By monitoring legislation and serving as a liaison with the Department of Education.
- By maintaining our relationship with Homeschool Legal Defense Association.
- By participating in National Homeschool Day of Prayer – the first Friday in November, and organizing our Homeschool Capitol Day.
Connect With CHOH
- Visit our website – http://christianhomeschoolersofhawaii.org for information and resource articles
- Sign up for CHOH emails – go to the CHOH website, click on Kakau inoa (Subscribe). You will receive email alerts and announcements for events, classes or activities sponsored by CHOH or other businesses or organizations.
- Like and follow CHOH on Facebook – https://facebook.com/christianhomeschoolersofhawaii for encouragement, tips, words of wisdom, and announcements
- Follow CHOH on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/homeschool_hawaii/ Email us at – chohinfo@christianhomeschoolersofhawaii.org if you have any questions
Support CHOH
- Pray for CHOH and God’s protection and provision for homeschooling in Hawaii
- Donate to CHOH and be a part of CHOH’s ministry to encourage homeschooling families and defend homeschool freedoms in Hawaii. Make a donation of $20 or more to CHOH c/o 344 Kaumakani Street, Honolulu, HI 96825. As a thank-you gift, your contribution makes you eligible for the group discount with Home School Legal Defense Association. Contact CHOH for the group discount code.
