Hawaii
Overview Link copied!
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| Strategy Name | Strategy Type(s) | Year | Funding Amount | Funding Source | Features at a Glance | |
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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.
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2024 |
Act 152 authorized repurposing unused public school facilities and other state-owned properties for early learning programs
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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.
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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
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2017 | $7 million |
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The ELB advises the governor and makes recommendations to the state legislature
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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
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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.
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2023 | $200 million |
State-Funded Pre-K
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Allocated $200 million, as stipulated by Act 257, to create 2,000 to 4,000 prekindergarten seats over two years
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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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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
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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
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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)