Commit to Keiki Hosts 3rd Annual Partnership Breakfast with Governor Josh Green, M.D.
This article has been updated to clarify language about potential federal funding impacts to community-based early childhood programs in Hawaiʻi.
On August 19, Commit to Keiki welcomed Governor Josh Green, M.D., County representatives, Steering Committee members, and community partners for our annual partnership breakfast. These gatherings are held each year to strengthen relationships between state and county leaders, align priorities, and ensure Hawai‘i’s youngest keiki and their families remain at the center of policy and investment decisions.
During his presentation, Governor Green reaffirmed his strong support for the priorities advanced by Commit to Keiki, noting that “the fundamentals of changes you are asking for is the right thing.” He highlighted the progress already made in expanding early education and providing relief for working families, while stressing the urgent need to broaden developmental screenings and strengthen the workforce that cares for our youngest keiki.
The Q&A session focused on some of the most pressing challenges facing Hawai‘i’s early childhood system. Steering Committee members raised concerns about pay disparities for early intervention professionals and the need for a central hub to coordinate workforce development and retention. Governor Green expressed strong support for both proposals, offering practical solutions to increase salaries and suggesting that dedicated staff could be housed within the Office of Wellness and Resilience to build and sustain this hub. He also encouraged Commit to Keiki and partners to bring forward their best ideas, telling the group to “feed [him] the policies” needed to protect and advance services for families.
A major concern raised was the impending loss of roughly $17 million annually in federal funding that has supported community-based early childhood programs across Hawai‘i for more than two decades. Governor Green acknowledged the urgency of this issue and discussed several possible strategies to address it. He pointed to state funds that could be redirected to cover urgent needs, the importance of creating more flexible grant opportunities, and the potential for philanthropy to play a larger role. He also described plans for a rapid-response “supercommittee” to monitor federal shifts and quickly identify solutions to keep critical services available for families.
County leaders had the opportunity to provide updates as well:
· Maui County reported more than $2.6 million in investments this year to support early literacy programs, child care subsidies, and professional development for providers. Recovery from the 2023 wildfires remains a central focus, with efforts underway to restore lost preschool and infant-toddler seats in West Maui.
· City and County of Honolulu highlighted an innovative partnership with the state to build new child care facilities on city-owned land. These facilities will be designed specifically for young keiki, helping expand affordable access to care while easing overhead costs for providers. Honolulu is also addressing family homelessness through Family Assessment Centers, which will soon offer family-child interaction learning programs on site.
· Kaua‘i County announced progress of the 25,000 square-foot Pi‘ikoi Youth Center. which will soon house new child care and youth programs, expanding access for families on the island. The county continues to invest in mental health and substance abuse prevention programs, and emphasized the growing need for prenatal and infant-toddler care on Kaua‘i, noting current provider shortages and limited access for families.
· Hawai‘i County was unable to attend this year’s breakfast. Commit to Keiki looks forward to sharing their updates with our network soon.
Commit to Keiki’s annual partnership breakfast continues to demonstrate the value of collaboration. These gatherings provide a rare opportunity to connect directly with the Governor, elevate community voices, and chart a shared path forward. We are grateful to Governor Green, who took time away from his busy schedule to arrive early and spend time to personally connect with attendees. We all appreciated the opportunity to discuss and share solutions that ensure every child in Hawaiʻi has the opportunity to grow up healthy, safe, and supported.
Governor Josh Green with Kerrie Urosevich, Co-Chair of the Commit to Keiki Steering Committee, and Kaʻanoʻi Walk, Commit to Keiki Steering Committee Member
Hawai‘i’s Early Education Ranking Highlights Urgent Need for Investment
A recent national report from WalletHub placed Hawai‘i near the bottom in early education for three- and four-year-olds, ranking 43rd out of 51 states and the District of Columbia. Hawai‘i scored poorly in access, quality, and resources, with one of the lowest rates of preschool enrollment in the country and among the lowest levels of spending per child.
KHON2 News covers Hawai‘i’s near-bottom ranking in early education, underscoring the urgent need to invest in our youngest learners.
The report warns that without increased access and stronger financial support, Hawai‘i risks falling further behind, not only in education outcomes, but also in long-term economic health. States that lead the rankings, like Maryland and the District of Columbia, pair high enrollment with strong quality benchmarks and robust funding, ensuring young children have a better start and families receive the support they need.
Why does this matter? Early education sets the foundation for a child’s success in school and life. Keiki who participate in quality programs are more likely to be reading at grade level by third grade, graduate from high school, earn higher wages, and contribute positively to their communities. Every $1 invested in early childhood programs can yield as much as $6–$7 in societal returns through higher earnings, increased tax revenue, and reduced spending on social services.
This ranking underscores what Commit to Keiki has been advocating for all along: Hawai‘i’s youngest keiki and their families deserve better. We must expand affordable, high-quality early learning opportunities and make early childhood a top priority in our state’s budget and policies. Investing in our keiki today is investing in Hawai‘i’s future.
La‘akea Yoshida Joins Commit to Keiki
Steering Committee
We are excited to welcome La‘akea Yoshida to the Commit to Keiki Steering Committee. La‘akea is a nonprofit executive, historian, and strategist dedicated to creating systems that are effective, sustainable, and people-focused. As President and CEO of Family Programs Hawaii, La‘akea works with staff, partners, and the community to strengthen child welfare services, expand sustainable funding, and deepen connections that support children and families. His career spans leadership roles at Microsoft, the University of Washington, and the Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture.
La‘akea earned his Master of Studies from the University of Oxford, his Bachelor of Arts in European History from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, and a Certificate of Applied Politics in Native American Political Leadership from George Washington University. We are grateful to have La‘akea’s leadership and vision helping to guide our work for Hawai‘i’s youngest keiki and their families.
