HISTORIC NUMBER OF PUBLIC PRE-K CLASSROOMS TO OPEN THIS AUGUST
Free, Public Preschools Opening on Every Island
HONOLULU — This August, 44 free, public preschool classrooms are slated to open across the state, with at least one classroom on each island. This marks a historic number of new public pre-K classrooms opening in a single year. The announcement was made today at Kūhiō Elementary School by Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, who is leading the state’s Ready Keiki initiative, along with the Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) and Ready Keiki partners.
This tranche of openings follows 11 classrooms that opened last year, all of which were completed under budget and ahead of schedule. The 44 new classrooms will add 820 seats to the inventory of public pre-K seats across the state, bringing the total to 1,767.
“This is the most public preschools the state has ever opened in one year. It’s a testament to the need for early learning opportunities across our state to ensure that every child can be ready for their future,” said Lt. Gov. Luke. “The 820 pre-K seats being added this year is just one step in our continuous work to ensure that every keiki, now and in the future, has the tools and learning opportunities to succeed.”
Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) Director Yuuko Arikawa-Cross has been leading the effort to expand the state’s Public Pre-K Program. “This expansion reflects our commitment to providing early learning opportunities to all children in Hawaiʻi,” said Arikawa-Cross. “We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for every child.”
- 34 of the 44 new classrooms will open at Title I schools.
- The first EOEL Hawaiian Language Public Pre-K classrooms will open at Blanche Pope and Lānaʻi High & Elementary.
- Three of the 11 sites that opened last school year are adding an additional classroom due to continued interest at Blanche Pope, Honowai, and Wailuku.
- The following areas will open their first public preschool classroom: Kāne‘ohe, Pearl City, Makakilo, South Maui, North Shore Maui, and West Moloka‘i.
- The ‘Aiea-Moanalua-Radford complex area will increase from one to five classrooms.
- Up to 160 seats will be nearby or along the commute route to Honolulu’s working areas.
The 44 new public pre-K classrooms will open at the following campuses:
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Hawaiʻi Island
Hoʻokena Elementary School
Kahakai Elementary School
Nāʻālehu Elementary School **
Pa’auilo Elementary School Kauaʻi
Kapaʻa Elementary School **
Maui
Haʻikū Elementary School
Kīhei Elementary School
Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary School
Wailuku Elementary School
Molokai
Maunaloa Elementary School
Lānaʻi
Lāna‘i High & Elementary School *
* Hawaiian language classroom
** Multiple classrooms on-site |
Oʻahu
ʻĀina Haina Elementary School
Ala Wai Elementary School
Alvah Scott Elementary School
Ben Parker Elementary School **
Blanche Pope Elementary School **
Hahaʻione Elementary School
Honowai Elementary School
ʻIliahi Elementary School
Kaʻala Elementary School
Kāhala Elementary School **
Kainalu Elementary School
Kauluwela Elementary School
Koko Head Elementary School
Kūhiō Elementary School
Lanakila Elementary School **
Leihōkū Elementary School **
Mauka Lani Elementary School
Nānāikapono Elementary School
Noelani Elementary School
Pearl City Elementary School
Pearl Harbor Kai Elementary School **
Red Hill Elementary School
Solomon Elementary School **
Waiʻanae Elementary School
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These additions bring EOEL’s Public Pre-K Program to a total of 74 sites and 92 classrooms across the state.
Each classroom will serve up to 20 students ages 3- and 4-year-olds, with priority given to children whose current situations include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:
- Children in foster care
- Children who are experiencing homelessness or unstable housing
- Children whose family’s income is no more than 300% of the federal poverty level
- Children who are experiencing at-risk situations which may impact their development and learning
- Children who are eligible for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and whose Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is determined as general education
- Children who are dual or multi-language learners
Applications for the EOEL’s Public Prekindergarten Program are now available through a new online portal at earlylearning.ehawaii.gov. Families and caregivers can apply on a rolling basis.
For questions about public preschool classrooms, please contact EOEL at (808) 784-5350.