Lt. Gov. Luke/EOEL – VNR – 100th Public Pre-K Classroom Opens in Hawaiʻi, Advancing Universal Access for Keiki

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR 

KE KEʻENA O KA HOPE KIAʻĀINA

EXECUTIVE OFFICE ON EARLY LEARNING

 KEʻENA HOʻOKELE HOʻONAʻAUAO PAE KAMALIʻI O HAWAIʻI MOKUʻĀINA

YUUKO ARIKAWA-CROSS

DIRECTOR

KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

100TH PUBLIC PRE-K CLASSROOM OPENS IN HAWAIʻI, ADVANCING UNIVERSAL ACCESS FOR KEIKI

Ready Keiki initiative marks major step toward statewide preschool for all

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 20, 2025

HONOLULU — Hawaiʻi celebrated a major milestone toward making preschool accessible to all keiki with the opening of the state’s 100th public pre-kindergarten classroom at Maunawili Elementary School in Kailua, Oʻahu.

“Just a few years ago, there were only a few dozen public pre-K classrooms statewide,” said Lt. Gov. Luke. “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 the launch of Ready Keiki in January 2023, EOEL and its partners have more than tripled the number of public pre-K classrooms statewide. In 2022, there were 37 classrooms; today, there are 117 classrooms across 89 locations statewide.

“We’re proud of how far we’ve come, and we know our work continues,” said EOEL Director Yuuko Arikawa-Cross. “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.”

The new classroom at Maunawili Elementary is the school’s first public pre-K, expanding preschool access for families on Windward Oʻahu. Nearby, new classrooms also opened at Kainalu Elementary in Kailua and Ben Parker Elementary in Kāneʻohe within the past year.

“Being the 100th public pre-K classroom is such an honor for our school and community,” said Kauʻi Tanaka, principal of Maunawili Elementary. “We’re excited to welcome our youngest learners to campus and help them get ready for their K–6 journey. Early learning is where curiosity, confidence, and love of learning begin.”

Each classroom in the state’s Public Pre-Kindergarten Program serves up to 20 students, ages 3 and 4, with priority given to children in foster care, families experiencing homelessness, or other at-risk circumstances. Enrollment is accepted year-round.

For more information, families can contact EOEL at (808) 784-5350.

Recent Public Pre-K Classrooms Opened in August 2025

*Hawaiian language classroom
**Multiple classrooms opening

###

RESOURCES

Courtesy Office of the Lt. Governor

Timestamps:

• 0:53: Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke

• 2:04: Yuuko Arikawa-Cross, Director, Executive Office on Early Learning

• 2:36: Kauʻi Tanaka, Principal, Maunawili Elementary School

Media Contacts:

Shari Nishijima

Communications Director

Office of the Lieutenant Governor

808-978-0867

Tara Castrovinci

Communications Specialist
Executive Office on Early Learning

808-368-9274