A plain-English guide to Hawaii’s bullying and cyberbullying law, written for school counselors and other school staff. Start with the summary, then open any section below for the legal details.
Bottom line for counselors: Hawaii requires every school district to have a written bullying policy. The law covers cyberbullying, including off-campus behavior that affects school. Follow your district's reporting and investigation steps and keep careful notes.
Hawaii's bullying law includes 9 of 14 key elements, which Lantern rates moderate. Cyberbullying can also be a crime under Hawaii law. State law lets schools discipline students for cyberbullying. School phones: statewide ban (Policy, February 2, 2026).
Sources last checked: StopBullying.gov summary reviewed April 28, 2026 · school phone rules checked November 11, 2026 · online-safety tracker updated August 31, 2026.
Lantern · State profile
Moderate state protections · 9 of 14 key elements
- Covers cyberbullying Yes
- Reaches off-campus behavior Yes
- District policy required Yes
- Reporting & investigation rules Yes
- Staff training No
- Support for students involved No
- School phone rules Statewide phone restriction
- Online safety laws for minors None listed
What this means for counselors
- Your district is required to have a written bullying policy. Find it, and learn who in your building receives reports.
- State law sets expectations for reporting and investigating bullying. Follow your district's steps and timelines, and keep careful notes.
- Cyberbullying that happens off campus can be addressed when it affects school. Record how the online behavior reached or disrupted school.
- State law does not require staff training, so counselors can lead that work by offering short trainings on cyberbullying for colleagues.
- The law names protected groups. Bullying based on these characteristics may also be a civil rights issue for your school.
- State law does not spell out a role for parents, so building partnerships with families is up to your school.
- Your state limits student phone use at school. Know your school's phone rules so responses to online incidents are consistent.
What Hawaii’s bullying law includes
- Bans bullying outright: included
The law clearly states that bullying is not allowed. - Defines bullying: included
The law spells out what counts as bullying. - Says where the rules apply: included
The law describes where the rules apply, such as school grounds, buses, events, or online. - Names protected groups: included
The law lists characteristics, such as race or disability, that bullying often targets. - Districts must have a policy: included
Every school district has to adopt a written bullying policy. - Reporting and investigation rules: included
The law sets out how bullying is reported and investigated. - Consequences for bullying: included
The law describes consequences for students who bully. - Policy shared with families: included
Districts have to tell students, staff, and families about the policy. - Support for students involved: not included
The law calls for protection or support, such as counseling, for students who are involved. - Policies reviewed and updated: not included
District policies have to be reviewed and kept up to date. - Prevention education: not included
The law requires or encourages bullying prevention lessons or programs. - Staff training: not included
The law requires or encourages training for teachers and other staff. - Parent involvement: not included
The law involves parents in preventing or responding to bullying.
Questions and answers about the law
Do Hawaii anti-bullying laws and regulations cover cyberbullying that occurs off-campus?
Yes. Hawaii anti-bullying laws cover cyberbullying acts committed through an off-campus computer network if the act is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abuse educational environment for the other student or school personnel, or both.
What are the policy requirements for schools to prevent and respond to bullying behavior?
Hawaii anti-bullying laws prohibit bullying and cyberbullying and require schools to publish school rules and to inform students, school staff, and parents of the prohibited conduct. Hawaii administrative rules governing student misconduct and discipline establish reporting and investigation procedures and address consequences for specific offenses, including bullying, cyberbullying, and harassment.
Do Hawaii anti-bullying laws and regulations include protections for specific groups?
Yes. Hawaii anti-bullying laws prohibit students from making verbal or non-verbal expressions that cause others to feel uncomfortable, pressured, threatened, or in danger because of reasons defined by the Hawaii Board of Education (see Chapter 19).
Hawaii schools that receive federal funding are required by federal law to address discrimination based on certain personal characteristics. Find out when bullying may be a civil rights violation.
Do Hawaii anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to implement bullying prevention programs or strategies?
No. Hawaii anti-bullying laws do not require districts to implement bullying prevention programs or strategies.
Do Hawaii anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to train teachers and other school staff on how to respond to bullying incidents?
No. Hawaii anti-bullying laws do not require districts to train teachers and other school staff on how to prevent or respond to bullying incidents.
Do Hawaii anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to provide safeguards or mental health supports for students involved with bullying?
No. Hawaii anti-bullying laws do not require districts to provide safeguards or mental health supports for students involved with bullying.
Do Hawaii anti-bullying laws and regulations involve parents in efforts to address bullying behavior?
No. Hawaii anti-bullying laws do not create expectations for parent involvement in addressing bullying behavior.
Answers from StopBullying.gov, last reviewed April 28, 2026.
School phone and device rules
Statewide ban. Most recent statewide action: Policy, February 2, 2026.
Source: Ballotpedia, checked November 11, 2026.
Online safety and social media laws for minors
No state online safety laws for minors are listed for Hawaii in the tracker we use. Federal laws, such as COPPA and the TAKE IT DOWN Act, still apply everywhere.
Source: Orrick Online Safety Law Tracker.
Legal citations, explained (5)
Each entry shows what the law or rule is about first, then its official name with abbreviations spelled out.
- Reporting of crime-related incidents Law passed by the legislature Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 302A-1002 Read the text of Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 302A-1002
- Definitions Rule from a state agency Hawaii Administrative Code Section 8-19-2 Read the text of Hawaii Administrative Code Section 8-19-2
- Prohibited student conduct; class offenses Rule from a state agency Hawaii Administrative Code Section 8-19-6 Read the text of Hawaii Administrative Code Section 8-19-6
- Prohibited student conduct; class offenses Rule from a state agency Hawaii Administrative Code Section 8-19-13 Read the text of Hawaii Administrative Code Section 8-19-13
- Civil Rights Policy and Complaint Procedure for Student(s) Complaints Against Adult(s) Rule from a state agency Hawaii Administrative Code Section 8-89 Read the text of Hawaii Administrative Code Section 8-89
Official Hawaii resources
Educational information, not legal advice. Laws change, so confirm with your district and state education department.
Find a school district in Hawaii
Search by ZIP code, select a district on the map, or look one up by name. Each district links to a search for its own bullying policy, since district rules can go further than state law.
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