The Promise of Universal Access to Pre-K. Ready Keiki is a statewide public-private effort to expand access to preschool for all 3 and 4 year olds.
Need help in another language? For 廣東話/广东话 , 國語/普通话 , Kapasen Chuuk , ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi , Ilokano , 日本語 , 한국어 , Kajin M̧ajeļ , Gagana Samoa , Español , Tagalog , ภาษาไทย , Tiếng Việt , Visayan , please call (808) 586-0255.
Connect With Lt. Governor Luke
Local businesses are truly at the heart of our community. Last week, I attended the 11th Annual Made in Maui County Festival and had a wonderful time meeting Maui business owners and community members while celebrating the island’s unique products.
HI Voted! 🗳️ Have you voted yet?
Your ballot must be received by 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday November 5 to be counted. Find a ballot drop box or voter service center at www.elections.hawaii.gov.
Let`s all vote to ensure our voices matter!
Happy Halloween from Chewbacca Musubi! 🐾🎃
Today is #NationalInternetDay! 🛜
Access to high-quality internet is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for all our residents. So much of our lives depends on it, from work and education to telehealth. To help improve internet access across our state, we’re asking residents to complete a 30-second speed test, allowing us to map connectivity in our communities.
Take the speed test at www.connectkakou.org or the link in my bio.
#DigitalDetectives #ConnectKakou #digitalequityhawaii #broadbandhui #internetforall #hawaiibroadband
It was an honor to celebrate the life and legacy of Representative Mark Nakashima.
Mark’s commitment to his community was unmatched; he always put others first and stayed true to his values. He lived by the phrase Okage Sama De, meaning “thanks to you”—a reflection of his humility and deep dedication to service.
His ʻohana is a testament to his values, and I cannot thank them enough for sharing him with the community and our state through his many years in the legislature.
We will miss his kind spirit, his quiet strength, and his gentle humor. Rest in aloha, Mark.
Today, we’re launching Digital Detectives, a Connect Kākou initiative to map internet speeds across Hawaiʻi, and we need your help! Take a 30-second internet speed test to contribute to creating a statewide internet map.
Complete a test from a desktop or laptop before November 4 to help us identify areas in need of better internet infrastructure and ensure all Hawai‘i communities have access to high-speed internet.
Visit www.connectkakou.org or the #linkinbio to become a Digital Detective! 🔎🛜
This year marks 31 years of sister-state relations between Taiwan and Hawaiʻi, a bond rooted in shared values of community, innovation, and cultural preservation. I had the honor of leading a delegation to Taiwan to further strengthen these ties and explore key sectors such as tourism, agriculture, healthcare, trade, and technology—industries shaping the future of both our regions.
Our discussions addressed critical issues like sustainable farming, the promotion of Indigenous culture and language, and our shared commitment to net-zero goals. As island communities, Taiwan and Hawaiʻi share many challenges and opportunities across sectors, from agriculture to transit. I hope we continue to learn from and engage with one another in meaningful exchanges. Mahalo nui loa and xièxiè to the people of Taiwan for their warm welcome and continued partnership.
UPDATE: The office reopened as of October 28, 2024.
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A note from our office: We’re currently undergoing construction. If you’re dropping off documents, please use our secure drop box. For pick-ups or further assistance, please call (808) 586-0255. Mahalo for your patience and understanding!
As we celebrate #IndigenousPeoplesDay, we honor the first people of this ʻāina. Native Hawaiian culture, language, and traditions remain alive and thriving—and it is our collective kuleana, our responsibility, to amplify indigenous and kānaka maoli voices for generations to come.
Last week, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak at Cisco Engage 🌐
Mahalo to @cisco for bringing together public and private sector leaders to discuss the shared opportunities and challenges facing the IT workforce.
As our state advances the #ConnectKakou initiative to expand internet infrastructure, Cisco continues to be a strong partner—supporting schools, hospitals, and government by providing the networks that keep us connected and help Hawaiʻi thrive in this digital age!
Since my time in the legislature, I have been a strong supporter of @ywcaoahu’s programs that empower and uplift women from all backgrounds.
Yesterday, I had the privilege of joining Charter-Spectrum for the presentation of the Spectrum Employee Community Grant, which will significantly enhance the Ka Hale Ho‘āla Hou No Nā Wāhine re-entry program at YWCA Fernhurst—further helping women reconnect with their families and reintegrate into society successfully.
This kind of community support is essential to building a stronger, more compassionate Hawai‘i.
Over 30 years ago, we celebrated the very first Hawai‘i Children & Youth Day—and decades later, uplifting our keiki remains more important than ever. I`ve been fortunate to meet incredible youth across our state, from #ReadyKeiki preschoolers to high schoolers heading to college. Each one is full of potential and unique gifts, contributing to the richness of our state.
Mahalo to our keiki for the light they bring to our lives. They are the next generation of leaders! 🌟
Over the past couple of weeks, I`ve had the pleasure of visiting some of the new public preschool classrooms that opened across our state. From Maunaloa on Moloka‘i to Benjamin Parker in Kāne‘ohe, these keiki are ready to learn and grow.
Starting October 1 until the end of the school year, all public pre-K classrooms across the state are accepting open enrollment. Families are encouraged to apply for their keiki to attend one of the free public preschool classrooms across the state. 📚✨
For more information and to apply, visit earlylearning.ehawaii.gov.
#ReadyKeiki #hawaiipreschool #hawaiiprek #hawaiikeiki #keikifirst
All public pre-k classrooms across the state are accepting open enrollment! Families are encouraged to apply for their keiki to one of the free, public preschool classrooms across the state. 📚✨
For more information and to apply, visit earlylearning.ehawaii.gov.
#ReadyKeiki #hawaiipreschool #hawaiiprek #hawaiikeiki #keikifirst
I`d like to thank the Hawai‘i Children`s Action Network for recognizing me with the inaugural Torch-Bearer Award at their Champions for Children event.
This recognition is truly shared with the incredible partners who have been part of the #ReadyKeiki initiative. From nonprofits, community organizations, businesses, and all levels of government — it’s been a kāko‘o effort to expand access to preschool across our state. This work isn’t just about preparing our keiki for the future; it’s about uplifting our families and building a thriving Hawai‘i for generations to come.
I am honored to be recognized with this award, but even more honored to be able to do this important work. Mahalo nui.
Last week, during a visit to the U.S. Department of Agriculture with a Hawai`i delegation, I had the pleasure of meeting USDA Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Penny Brown Reynolds.
We had a great conversation and learned more about her important role in ensuring fair and equitable opportunities for farmers and agriculture workers across the country.
How do we promote and sustain ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i — not only for our students but for generations to come? Last week, I had the honor of moderating a panel at the 2024 Native Hawaiian Convention — “Advancing Hawaiian Language in Our Schools and Beyond.” We had a meaningful conversation on the important role of Hawaiian medium education in renormalizing ‘Ōlelo.
As we expand early learning through #ReadyKeiki, I’m committed to working with our Hawaiian language partners to increase ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i education starting with our youngest learners, so mahalo to @hawaiiancouncil for inviting me to host a panel.
Mahalo to the panelists for this important conversation, and for sharing your knowledge, stories, and time.
• Dr. Kauanoe Kamanā, Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu
• Ka‘iulani Laehā , ʻAha Pūnana Leo
• Kaʻanoʻi Walk, Kamehameha Schools
• Kaʻiu Kimura, ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center & Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani
• Yuuko Arikawa-Cross, Executive Office on Early Learning
These leaders have dedicated years to revitalizing Hawaiian language, and it truly takes a kākoʻo effort from all of us to ensure that ʻŌlelo Hawai‘i remains a living, breathing part of Hawai‘i for generations to come. Mahalo nui loa to everyone who continues to support this vital work.
This week, we celebrated #Chuseok, one of Korea’s most important holidays—a time to honor ancestors and gather with family in celebration. In Hawai‘i, our ‘ohana extends beyond our immediate relatives—it includes our entire community.
It was an honor to represent Hawai‘i at the inaugural White House Chuseok Celebration, reflecting on the strength and spirit of the Korean American community. From the first pioneers who arrived in Hawai‘i over 120 years ago to today’s trailblazing leaders, the Korean American community has come so far—always committed to uplifting our communities and honoring our heritage.
Thank you to the White House for recognizing our Korean American community on a national stage. Kamsahamnida! 🌕🇰🇷🇺🇸
I had a wonderful time visiting the Ready Keiki classrooms at Blanche Pope Elementary School! We delivered backpacks full of supplies and books donated by our generous Ready Keiki partners. 🎒
Blanche Pope Elementary is one of the first two Hawaiian Language Public Pre-K classrooms to open under the Ready Keiki initiative. It was so great to see the students excited about their classrooms and read along for story time in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.
I had the honor of meeting with the Mayor of Seoul, Oh Se-hoon. We discussed our shared commitment to investing in early childhood education, focusing on how to uplift families and communities in both Hawaiʻi and Korea.
Mahalo to Mayor Oh Se-hoon for graciously hosting our Hawaiʻi delegation and strengthening the ties between our regions. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and strengthening our ties.
HI Voted! 🗳️ Have you voted yet?
Your ballot must be received by 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday November 5 to be counted. Find a ballot drop box or voter service center at www.elections.hawaii.gov.
Let's all vote to ensure our voices matter!
Happy Halloween from Chewbacca Musubi! 🐾🎃
Today is #NationalInternetDay! 🛜
Access to high-quality internet is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for all our residents. So much of our lives depends on it, from work and education to telehealth. To help improve internet access across our state, we’re asking residents to complete a 30-second speed test, allowing us to map connectivity in our communities.
Take the speed test at www.connectkakou.org or the link in my bio.
#DigitalDetectives #ConnectKakou #digitalequityhawaii #broadbandhui #internetforall #hawaiibroadband
It was an honor to celebrate the life and legacy of Representative Mark Nakashima.
Mark’s commitment to his community was unmatched; he always put others first and stayed true to his values. He lived by the phrase Okage Sama De, meaning “thanks to you”—a reflection of his humility and deep dedication to service.
His ʻohana is a testament to his values, and I cannot thank them enough for sharing him with the community and our state through his many years in the legislature.
We will miss his kind spirit, his quiet strength, and his gentle humor. Rest in aloha, Mark.
On Friday, October 25, the Hawaiʻi State Capitol will hold a memorial service and celebration of life in honor of the late Representative Mark Nakashima. 🤍🕊️
Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., with the memorial service to follow at 11:00 a.m. A livestream will be available on ʻŌlelo Channel 53 and the Hawaiʻi House Majority Facebook page.
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Today is General Election Day. It’s also a State holiday in Hawaii! Enjoy the holiday with your friends and family and be sure to #vote. Your voice matters!
#ElectionDay #HawaiiHoliday #HawaiiVotes
NO TSUNAMI THREAT: A 4.1 magnitude earthquake has occurred at 12:05 pm HST today (Nov 2), south of the Big Island near Loihi. There is NO tsunami threat. Some areas may have experienced shaking.
Keep tabs on the status of your ballot. Sign up now for ballot tracking alerts at http://elections.hawaii.gov. To get started, click 'Sign up for Ballot Notifications'.
