Non-Discrimination Policy
Complex Area Equity Specialist:
Michael Murakami (808) 600-9299
“The Complex Area Equity Specialist addresses complaints relating to conduct based on a student's race, color, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, religion, gender identity and expression, socio-economic status, physical appearance and characteristic or sexual orientation. The Complex Area Equity Specialist also acts as the coordinator for Title IX (gender equity), Language Access, Reasonable Accommodations and as the primary resource for issues relating to Title VII (employment discrimination).”
Annual Notice of Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Statement:
The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, and religion. The requirement extends to all of HIDOE's programs and activities, including employment and language assistance at no cost to you. Please contact your school's principal for more information.
For the HIDOE high schools that offer Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs of Study in arts and communications, business, health services, industrial and engineering technology, natural resources, and public and human services, there are no admission criteria. HIDOE high school will take steps to assure that the lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in CTE programs, and will provide equal access to designated youth groups.
In addition, the HIDOE does not tolerate acts of harassments on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, and religion. Any student who believes that he or she has been subjected to harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, and religion, is encouraged to report such harassment. Students and parents may report allegations of discrimination or harassments to the school's administrator or to the HIDOE's Civil Rights Compliance Branch at the address listed below.
HIDOE is committed to conducting prompt investigations. Support, including counseling and educational resources, will be available to students who are harassed, as well as to students found to have engaged in acts of harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, and religion. Students found to have engaged in harassment may be disciplined, up to and including suspension, if circumstances warrant. Students, parents, and HIDOE staff should work together to prevent harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, and religion.
HIDOE will not tolerate retaliation for reporting discrimination and/or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, and religion, and will take steps to protect those who wish to report the harassment.
Please direct inquiries regarding HIDOE nondiscrimination policies to:
Beth Schimmelfening, Director
Rhonda Wong, Compliance
Aaron Oandasan, Title VI
Toby Yamashiro, Title VII
Nicole Isa-Iijima, Title IX
Krysti Sukita, ADA/504
Civil Rights Compliance Branch
Hawaii State Department of Education
P.O. Box 2360
Honolulu, Hawaii 96804
(808) 586-3322 or relay
Inquiries concerning discrimination and/or harassment may also be referred to the Office for Civil Rights, United States Department of Education.