HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaiʻi opened its 100th public preschool as part of Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke’s “Ready Keiki” initiative.
The new preschool is at Maunawili Elementary in Kailua. Luke was joined by the Executive Office on Early Learning to celebrate the new opportunity for the islands’ keiki.
“Just a few years ago, there were only a few dozen public pre-K classrooms statewide,” Luke said. “Now, we’re celebrating our 100th. This just shows Hawaiʻi’s commitment to every child, every family and every community. Ready Keiki is about giving our youngest learners the foundation to thrive while ensuring families can access trusted early education no matter where they live.”
Since Ready Keiki’s establishment in 2023, the Executive Office on Early Learning and its partner organizations have worked to more than triple the amount of public preschools in the islands.
“We’re proud of how far we’ve come, and we know our work continues,” Yuuko Arikawa-Cross, the director of the office, said. “Every new classroom represents a doorway to opportunity for families. Our goal is to meet families where they are and ensure every keiki in Hawaiʻi has access to a strong start.”
Each new classroom can accommodate up to 20 students between the ages or three and four. Priority is given to keiki experiencing homelessness, in foster care or other at-risk circumstances, with year-round enrollment.
To apply for preschool or join the waitlist, visit the Executive Office on Early Learning’s website.