Hawaii asks for a few specific things. Hawaii sets out a handful of real requirements. None of them are difficult, but the deadlines are genuine and worth putting in a calendar. Here is the whole list.

What you file, and by when

Yes. Submit a Notice of Intent to Homeschool before beginning, to the principal of the public school the child is or would be assigned to, using DOE Form 4140 (Exceptions to Compulsory Education) or a signed letter containing the child's name, address, telephone number, birth date, grade level, and the parent's signature. Homeschooling may begin as soon as the signed notice is submitted; no approval is needed. The NOI is one-time (not annual) as long as annual progress reports are filed, but a new NOI is required if the child changes schools/districts, and parents must notify the principal when they stop homeschooling.

Days or hours

No specific minimum number of days or hours is set by rule; however, the recordkeeping rule requires the parent to document the number of hours of instruction per week, so an hours log is effectively mandatory even though no threshold is specified. The instructional program must be "structured, based on educational objectives, cumulative and sequential."

Subjects you must cover

No strictly mandated subject list, but the rule frames the expected program around the public-school curriculum: elementary, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, art, music, health, physical education; secondary, social studies, English, mathematics, science, health, physical education, and guidance. Curriculum choice and materials are the parent's. No parent qualification or teacher certification is required.

Records you keep

Required. Parents must keep a record of the curriculum containing: the planned start and end dates of the program, the number of hours of instruction per week, the subject areas covered, the method used to determine mastery of each subject, and a bibliography/list of textbooks and instructional materials used. The record must be made available to the DOE upon request (e.g., if the principal or superintendent requests review).

Testing or evaluation

Yes, an annual progress report to the principal at the end of each school year, plus standardized test scores specifically in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10. For the annual report in non-testing grades the parent may choose any one of: (a) a nationally normed standardized achievement test score at or above grade level for age, (b) test progress equivalent to one grade level per calendar year regardless of age, (c) a written evaluation by a Hawaii-certified teacher, (d) a written evaluation by the parent including a description of progress in each subject with representative work samples, tests/assignments, and grades where given, or (e) participation in the Hawaii Statewide Testing Program. In grades 3, 5, 8, and 10 a nationally normed standardized test score is required (the DOE will allow homeschoolers to test free through the assigned school; private testing is at parent expense).

Diplomas and transcripts

Significant limitation, and the most misunderstood part of Hawaii law: the DOE will NOT issue a high school diploma to a homeschooled student. Per DOE policy a student must attend a public high school for a minimum of three full years and meet the graduation credit requirements to receive a DOE diploma; homeschool credits are accepted toward that only at the receiving principal's discretion, so late transfers routinely lose credit. Homeschool families therefore rely on a parent-issued diploma and transcript (legal and widely accepted by colleges and the University of Hawaii system, but not state-validated), on the HiSET/GED, or on dual enrollment at a UH community college for accredited credit. If a diploma from the DOE matters to the family, plan the high-school transfer at least three full years out. Homeschoolers may participate in public-school activities/sports subject to school and HHSAA rules.

Where this comes from

Statute: Haw. Rev. Stat. 302A-1132(a)(5) (compulsory attendance exception for home schooling); Haw. Admin. R. Title 8, Chapter 12 (Compulsory Attendance Exceptions), 8-12-13 through 8-12-22 (homeschool: notice, curriculum, records, annual reports, testing); DOE Form 4140

Source: https://boe.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/12-Compulsory-Attendance-Exceptions.pdf

Last reviewed: July 2026 · our confidence in this entry: medium

Homeschool law changes, and a page like this goes stale without announcing it. Check the statute above against your own reading before a filing deadline. If we are out of date, we would rather hear it from you than have you find out at the district office.

Keeping the records is the other half of this. Our Records System has the editable transcript with the GPA already wired, 131 course descriptions, and this same statute-cited summary for all fifty states and DC. Thirty-nine dollars, one household, however many children you have.