Hawai‘i’s four counties are working to ensure that our youngest keiki (prenatal to age five) and their families have access to quality child care and early learning, support to prevent family violence, and early childhood mental health services—three critical priorities that lay the foundation for healthy development and long-term well-being. Commit to Keiki celebrates the leadership of Hawai‘i’s mayors and early childhood coordinators for their continued efforts to strengthen early childhood systems across the state.
The following are the latest updates from our four counties highlighting recent projects, activities, and funding commitments that support early childhood.
(as of October 2025)
Kaua‘i County
Kaua‘i continues to lead with community driven efforts that expand access to family supports and inclusive public spaces.
- Family Engagement and Advocacy: The Kaua‘i Planning and Action Alliance facilitates a subgrant through Hawai‘i P20’s PDG B5 Family and Community Engagement and Advocacy project to improve information access and maximize parent and family involvement in Kaua‘i’s early childhood system. Activities include family fairs, parent workshops and talk story sessions.
- Employee Health and Wellness: County employees and their families continue to receive free health care coverage, including medical, prescription, vision, and dental plans, fully funded by the County.
- Diversion and Support Services: The Kaua‘i Office of the Prosecuting Attorney has partnered with Ho‘ola La Hui Hawai‘i to create a diversion program for low level offenders with mental health needs and to assist families affected by domestic violence.
- Inclusive Parks and Play Spaces: Mayor Derek Kawakami continues to prioritize accessible recreation. The County has opened inclusive playgrounds at Lydgate and Waimea Parks, with new skateparks planned for Hanapēpē and Nawiliwili.
City and County of Honolulu
Honolulu is advancing strategic partnerships and innovative models to make child care and family services more affordable and effective.
- Increasing Government Efficiency: State and City partnerships to construct child care facilities have saved more than $5 million in capital improvement funds for the City, $3.5 million in annual operational funds for the State, and expanded access for 13 times more children.
- Reducing Costs for Families: The City’s approach allows tuition caps to ensure affordability for families while supporting sustainable operations for child care providers.
- Supporting Families Experiencing Homelessness: Co-locating Family Child Interaction Learning Programs at Family Assessment Centers expands multi-generational services and support for families on their path to stability.
Maui County
Maui County is using data and community input to guide investments that improve outcomes for young children.
- Early Childhood Data Walk: The County hosted an Early Childhood Center Data Walk Experience to explore key indicators affecting young children, including safety, learning, child care access and affordability, and provider support.
Click here to view the data walk
- Investment in Keiki: Maui County is distributing $2 million in grant funding to support early childhood development programs.
Hawai‘i County
Hawai‘i County continues to invest in programs and systems that promote collaboration, education, and long-term family well-being.
- Collaboration and System Building: The Early Childhood Resource Team has joined forces with SLFRF grantees to implement system improvement strategies through 2026.
- Data and Accountability: The County is updating its Community Profile to reflect the current status of young children, with a new edition expected by the end of 2025.
- Education and Workforce Development: Continued scholarships through Chaminade University and Hawai‘i Community College support the next generation of early childhood educators.
- Investing in Promising Programs: Federal ARPA funds are supporting the Pāhoa Promise Early Childhood Continuum and the Pāhoa Reads initiative.
2024 Hawai‘i State Association of Counties Conference
On September 19, 2024, Commit to Keiki presented a panel discussion at the 2024 Hawai‘i State Association of Counties Conference. All four county representatives for early childhood came together to share valuable insights into what each county is doing to increase investments in keiki development, increase access to quality early learning programs, and strengthen connections to community resources.
