VNR – Ready Keiki Expands Public Pre-K Access in West Oʻahu; New Early Childhood State Plan Released

STATE OF HAWAIʻI

KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

JOSH GREEN, M.D.

GOVERNOR

KE KIAʻĀINA

SYLVIA LUKE

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

KE KEʻENA O KA HOPE KIAʻĀINA

EXECUTIVE OFFICE ON EARLY LEARNING

KEʻENA HOʻOKELE HOʻONAʻAUAO PAE KAMALIʻI O HAWAIʻI MOKUʻĀINA

YUUKO ARIKAWA-CROSS

DIRECTOR

KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

READY KEIKI EXPANDS PUBLIC PRE-K ACCESS IN WEST OʻAHU; NEW EARLY CHILDHOOD STATE PLAN RELEASED

All West Oʻahu Public Elementary Schools Now Offer Free Preschool

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 2, 2026

Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, who leads Ready Keiki, visited the newest public pre-kindergarten classroom at Mākaha Elementary School today alongside Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi and Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) Director Yuuko Arikawa-Cross.

"We're excited that the Nānākuli-Waiʻanae complex now has a public preschool at every elementary school. This is not just a vision for West Oʻahu, but for every community across Hawaiʻi," said Lieutenant Governor Luke. "Preschool and child care are among the biggest drivers of the cost of living in our state, so expanding access is not only about preparing our youngest learners, but it's also about easing the financial burden on working families."

In addition, the Hāna-Lahainaluna-Lānaʻi-Molokai complex has offered a public pre-K classroom at every elementary school since the 2024-25 school year. Kauaʻi is also making progress toward this goal, currently offering public pre-K at five of its nine public elementary schools, with a sixth classroom set to open this August.

In 2022, there were 37 public pre-K classrooms statewide. Today, there are 117 classrooms across 89 locations, reflecting Ready Keiki's success and the state's continued investment in early learning.

Superintendent Keith Hayashi spoke about how public preschool helps with the transition to kindergarten. "Ready Keiki helps to cultivate our students from an early age in pre-K, helps them to grow and provides them the supports that our students need when they start in early age here at Mākaha Elementary," Hayashi said. "It helps with transitions, it helps with bringing family together, it helps with socialization of students."

Each classroom in the state's Public Pre-Kindergarten Program serves up to 20 students ages 3 and 4, with priority given to children in foster care, families experiencing homelessness, and those facing other at-risk circumstances. Enrollment is accepted year-round. Applications are currently being accepted for the 2026-27 school year.

Families are encouraged to apply for available seats or join a waitlist at earlylearning.ehawaii.gov or by calling EOEL at (808) 784-5350.

Nānākuli-Waiʻanae Complex Area EOEL Public Pre-K Campuses:

**Two public pre-K classrooms

Strengthening Early Childhood Support Statewide

Released by Lieutenant Governor Luke and EOEL, the plan reflects a coordinated, community-driven effort to improve outcomes for keiki and ʻohana across Hawaiʻi.

The plan builds on lessons from the 2019-2024 State Plan and findings from the 2024 Hawaiʻi Early Childhood Comprehensive Needs Assessment. More than 150 participants attended in-person forums across all four counties, and more than 300 individuals contributed through surveys and virtual listening sessions.

"This State Plan reflects our collective commitment to Hawaiʻi's keiki and ʻohana," said Yuuko Arikawa-Cross, EOEL director. "It brings together the voices of families, providers and community partners to create a shared path forward-one that strengthens our systems, honors our values, and ensures every child has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive."

The plan is organized around six key focus areas:

Key priorities include expanding access to affordable early learning, strengthening transitions to kindergarten, incorporating Hawaiian language and culture into early learning standards, improving access to family resources, and increasing support and wages for the early childhood workforce.

EOEL will track progress annually and continue engaging partners statewide to support implementation and continuous improvement.

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