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Strategy Name Strategy Type(s) Year Funding Amount Funding Source Features at a Glance
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

        Public Pre-K Program Name Program Length:  Full-day; minimum 30.5 hours/week, 5 days/week during school year

        Ready Keiki Source: Hawaii Executive Office on Early Learning 2023

        Public Pre-K Program Name Program Length:  Full-day; minimum 30.5 hours/week, 5 days/week during school year

        Hawaii State Public Charter School Early Learning Program Source: NIEER 2023

        Universal or Targeted Pre-K Policy State Spending Per Child (Pre-K):  $10,676

        Transitioning from Targeted to Universal Pre-K Policy (3- and 4-Year-Olds) Source: Hawaii Executive Office on Early Learning 2023

        Universal or Targeted Pre-K Policy State Spending Per Child (Pre-K):  $10,676

        Targeted Pre-K Policy (3- and 4-Year-Olds) Source: NIEER 2023

        Early Childhood Education Programs (3-Year-Olds) Source: NIEER 2023

        Programs

        • Percent of 3-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs (1%)
        • 3-Year-old Children Enrolled in Head Start (6%)
        • Other/None (93%)

        Early Childhood Education Programs (4-Year-Olds) Source: NIEER 2023

        Programs

        • Percent of 4-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Public Early Childhood Education Programs (4%)
        • 4-Year-old Children Enrolled in Head Start (7%)
        • Other/None (89%)

        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)