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Strategy Name Strategy Type(s) Year Funding Amount Funding Source Features at a Glance
Act 152: Preschool Expansion in Unused Facilities 
In July 2024, Governor Josh Green signed Act 152, which authorized repurposing unused public school facilities and other state-owned properties for early learning programs. In this way, Hawaii aims to expand access to early education programs, particularly for families in underserved areas of the state.  The measure instructed the Department of Education to inventory suitable empty classrooms for potential use by charter schools and early learning programs and to solicit applications from early learning programs interested in using and occupying all or portions of the facilities.   The act prioritizes sites with sufficient space for three or more classrooms.   learn more: preschool expansion in unused facilities Sources: Weber, K., Leffler, L., & Schulman, K. (2025). Work in Progress: State Child Care and Early Education Updates 2024. National Women's Law Center. State of Hawaii Executive Chambers. (2024). GOV. MSG. NO. 11.53.
  • Expansion
    • Physical Space and Facilities
    2024
    Act 152 authorized repurposing unused public school facilities and other state-owned properties for early learning programs
    In July 2024, Governor Josh Green signed Act 152, which authorized repurposing unused public school facilities and other state-owned properties for early learning programs. In this way, Hawaii aims to expand access to early education programs, particularly for families in underserved areas of the state.  The measure instructed the Department of Education to inventory suitable empty classrooms for potential use by charter schools and early learning programs and to solicit applications from early learning programs interested in using and occupying all or portions of the facilities.   The act prioritizes sites with sufficient space for three or more classrooms.   learn more: preschool expansion in unused facilities Sources: Weber, K., Leffler, L., & Schulman, K. (2025). Work in Progress: State Child Care and Early Education Updates 2024. National Women's Law Center. State of Hawaii Executive Chambers. (2024). GOV. MSG. NO. 11.53.
    Hawaii Early Learning Board
    In 2017, Hawaii converted its early childhood advisory council to an advisory board, the Early Learning Board (ELB). ELB was established through Act 202 and is tasked with formulating statewide policy relating to early learning. It directs the Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) on how to best meet the developmental and educational needs of children; provides recommendations to EOEL on improving the quality, availability, and coordination of early learning programs; promotes collaboration across agencies and stakeholders serving young children; and appoints the EOEL director and evaluating the director on an annual basis. The ELB advises the governor and makes recommendations to the legislature. Learn more: State of Hawaii Executive Office on Early Learning Sources:Education Commission of the States, 2021Hawaii Executive Office on Early Learning (2023). 2023 Legislative UpdatesEducation Commission of the States, (2018). Education Governance Dashboard 
    • Infrastructure to Support Early Childhood Systems
      • Data Systems
      2017 $7 million
      • Head Start and Early Head Start Funding
      • Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five
      • State General Fund
      The ELB advises the governor and makes recommendations to the state legislature
      In 2017, Hawaii converted its early childhood advisory council to an advisory board, the Early Learning Board (ELB). ELB was established through Act 202 and is tasked with formulating statewide policy relating to early learning. It directs the Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) on how to best meet the developmental and educational needs of children; provides recommendations to EOEL on improving the quality, availability, and coordination of early learning programs; promotes collaboration across agencies and stakeholders serving young children; and appoints the EOEL director and evaluating the director on an annual basis. The ELB advises the governor and makes recommendations to the legislature. Learn more: State of Hawaii Executive Office on Early Learning Sources:Education Commission of the States, 2021Hawaii Executive Office on Early Learning (2023). 2023 Legislative UpdatesEducation Commission of the States, (2018). Education Governance Dashboard 
      Ready Keiki Pre-K Program
      In 2023, Hawaii launched Ready Keiki, which aims to expand access to preschool for Hawaii's 3- and 4-year-olds, with the goal of creating 465 new classrooms statewide by 2032. To achieve universal access to prekindergarten, the state plans to use a mixed-delivery system that includes private providers, public preschools, family child care centers, and federally funded Head Start programs. Hawaii has allocated $200 million, as stipulated by Act 257, to create 2,000 to 4,000 prekindergarten seats over the next two years. The funds will be used to expand existing facilities and construct new ones. The School Facilities Authority (SFA) determines eligibility for and distribution of these funds, a process that includes working closely with stakeholders to maximize the reach and efficiency of the investment. Learn More: Ready keiki Pre-K Sources: Ready Keiki. (n.d.). About Ready Keiki. Office of the Lieutenant Governor. (2023). Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke unveils "Ready Keiki" plan.
      • Expansion
        • Public Pre-K
          • Universal Pre-K Policy (3-Year-Olds)
            • Universal Pre-K Policy (4-Year-Olds)
          2023 $200 million
          State-Funded Pre-K
          Allocated $200 million, as stipulated by Act 257, to create 2,000 to 4,000 prekindergarten seats over two years
          In 2023, Hawaii launched Ready Keiki, which aims to expand access to preschool for Hawaii's 3- and 4-year-olds, with the goal of creating 465 new classrooms statewide by 2032. To achieve universal access to prekindergarten, the state plans to use a mixed-delivery system that includes private providers, public preschools, family child care centers, and federally funded Head Start programs. Hawaii has allocated $200 million, as stipulated by Act 257, to create 2,000 to 4,000 prekindergarten seats over the next two years. The funds will be used to expand existing facilities and construct new ones. The School Facilities Authority (SFA) determines eligibility for and distribution of these funds, a process that includes working closely with stakeholders to maximize the reach and efficiency of the investment. Learn More: Ready keiki Pre-K Sources: Ready Keiki. (n.d.). About Ready Keiki. Office of the Lieutenant Governor. (2023). Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke unveils "Ready Keiki" plan.
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          Demographics Link copied!

          Demographics Data Scorecard

          State population

          1,440,196 Source U.S. Census, 2022

          Rural %

          13.9% Source U.S. Census, 2020

          Urban %

          86.1% Source U.S. Census, 2020

          Number of children 0–4

          82,785 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

          Poverty levels - children 0—8 below 200% poverty

          30% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

          Median family income among households with children

          $93,900.00 Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

          Unemployment rate

          2.9% Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2024

          Unemployment rate of parents

          6% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

          Children under age 6 with all available parents in the labor force

          64% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

          Children living in households with a high housing cost burden

          39% Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

          Child Population by Race and Ethnicity Source KIDS COUNT, 2021

          Race and Ethnicity

          • American Indian and Alaska Native (0.49%)
          • Asian (22%)
          • Black or African American (2%)
          • Hispanic or Latino (20%)
          • Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (12%)
          • Two or more races (32%)
          • White, not Hispanic or Latino (13%)
          Year 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
          Governor D D D D D
          State House D D D D D
          State Senate D D D D D

          Early Childhood Education Programs Link copied!

          Early Childhood Education Programs

          Program Name Program Length* Universal or Targeted Pre-K Policy State Spending Per Child
          Ready Keiki Source: Hawaii Executive Office on Early Learning 2023 Full-day; minimum 30.5 hours/week, 5 days/week during school year Transitioning from Targeted to Universal Pre-K Policy (3- and 4-Year-Olds) Source: Hawaii Executive Office on Early Learning 2023 $10,676
          Hawaii State Public Charter School Early Learning Program Source: NIEER 2023 Full-day; minimum 30.5 hours/week, 5 days/week during school year Targeted Pre-K Policy (3- and 4-Year-Olds) Source: NIEER 2023 $10,676

          3-Year-Olds Enrolled in Early Childhood Education Programs NIEER 2023

          Programs

          • Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Pre-K
            0% (2021)
          • Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Head Start
          • Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Special Education
          • Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Other/None

          4-Year-Olds Enrolled in Early Childhood Education Programs NIEER 2023

          Programs

          • Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Pre-K
          • Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Head Start
          • Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Special Education
          • Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Other/None

          Workforce Link copied!

          2017–2019 Median Hourly Wages Source CSCCE 2018, 2020

          Role

          • Child Care Workers
            $11.13 (2017, adjusted)
            $12.43 (2019)
          • Preschool Teachers
            $18.77 (2017, adjusted)
            $19.36 (2019)
          • Preschool or Child Care Center Directors
            $24.36 (2017, adjusted)
            $24.99 (2019)

          Funding Sources Link copied!

          Federal and State Early Childhood Education Funding (in Millions) Source First Five Years Fund, 2024

          Funding Source

          • Head Start and Early Head Start Funding ($32.8)
          • CCDBG & Mandatory Funds ($43.1)
          • CCDBG State Match ($6.4)
          • State-Funded Pre-K ($7.5)
          • MIECHV ($4.1)
          • IDEA Part C ($2.6)
          • IDEA Part B, Sec 619 ($1.1)
          • TANF Early Learning and Care ($9.2)
          • Preschool Development Grant Birth ($6.6)