MULTIMILLION DOLLAR INITIATIVE EXPAND PRESCHOOL OPTIONS COST STATE.

DOZEN OF NEW PRESCHOOL CLASSROOMS NEXT YEAR.

HUNDREDS MORE BEING CREATED OVER THE NEXT DECADE.

CLOCK ALREADY TICKING, HOW CLOSE IS THE STATE TO MEETING FIRST GOAL?

AND WILL IF BE ENOUGH TO PAY FOR GAPS IN VAIL ANTS AND AFFORDABILITY VASE FACING MANY FAMILY TONIGHT'S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVESTREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII ON PBS HAWAII START NOW.

¶¶ ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI’I.

I'M YUNJI DE NIES.

MANY EXPERTS AGREE EARLY EDUCATION IS AN IMPORTANT BUILDING BLOCK FOR CHILDREN, BUT HAWAII IS LACKING WHEN IT COMES TO AFFORDABLE PRESCHOOL OPTIONS.

THE ADMINISTRATION HAS $200 MILLION DOLLARS, ALLOCATED BY THE LEGISLATURE LAST SESSION, TO CHANGE THAT.

THE GOVERNOR HAS TASKED LT. GOV.

SYLVIA LUKE LEAD THE EFFORT, SO WHAT’S THE PLAN, AND WILL IT BE ENOUGH TO MEET THE STATE’S NEEDS?

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS AND YOU’LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII FACEBOOK PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

AS MENTIONED, WE HAVE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SYLVIA LUKE JOINING US.

SHE’S SPEARHEADING READY KEIKI.

ITS GOAL IS TO CREATE MORE THAN 400 PRESCHOOL CLASSROOMS IN THE ISLANDS BY 2032.

THE PLAN BUILDS UPON GROUNDWORK LAID BY THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WHILE SHE WAS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

CHAD KEONE FARIAS IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL FACILITIES AUTHORITY.

FARIAS HAS BEEN WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IN VARIOUS ROLES SINCE 1993.

THE AUTHORITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.

KE’OPU REELITZ IS THE DIRECTOR OF EARLY LEARNING AND HEALTH POLICY AT HAWAII CHILDREN’S ACTION NETWORK, A NONPROFIT AVOCATING FOR THE SAFETY, HEALTH, AND EDUCATION OF HAWAI’I’S KEIKI.

IN ADDITION, SHE BRINGS A PERSONAL POINT OF VIEW TO THE CONVERSATION AS THE MOTHER OF THREE YOUNG CHILDREN.

REPRESENTATIVE JUSTIN WOODSON REPRESENTS CENTRAL MAUI AND IS ALSO THE CHAIR OF THE STATE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION.

OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS HE’S HELPED LEAD EFFORTS AT THE LEGISLATURE TO EXPAND PRESCHOOL ACCESS IN THE ISLANDS.

THANK ALL FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

WONDERFUL TO HAVE THERE TO TALK ABOUT.

$200 MILLION CERTAINLY A LOT OF MONEY.

WE HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR WHERE THIS IS GOING.

I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

JUST IS TO LAY THE GROUNDWORK.

WE HAVE A BACKGROUND OF WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATUS OF ELIGIBILITY OR AVAILABILITY OF PUBLIC PRESCHOOL ANY KIND OF PRESCHOOL?

>> IF YOU'RE LOOK AT WHAT FAMILY GO THROUGH, ANY FAMILY LOOKING FOR CHILD CARE, WHETHER IT'S FROM BIRTH TO FIVE, OR KINDERGARTEN INTRI, BY AND LARGE, MOST PEOPLE HAVE TO GET ON A WAIT LIST.

AND IF THEY CAN, GET ON A WAIT LIST, GET OFF THE WAIT LIST, TYPICALLY, LOOK AT NOT MAYBE NOT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD IT.

OFTENTIMES SEE THAT BARRIER IS NOT JUST LIKE AVAILABILITY.

SO FOR 3 AND 4‑YEAR OLD, OVER 50%.

CAPACITY.

FOR JUST OVER 50%.

3 AND 4‑YEAR‑OLDS.

>> YOUNGER YOU GET, LESS CAPACITY WE HAVE.

SAME WITH AFFORDABILITY.

AFFORDABILITY FOR 3 AND 4‑YEAR‑OLD PROBABLY AROUND 13 TO 14,000 ON AVERAGE.

ANNUALLY.

AND THEN YOUNGER YOU GET MORE EXPENSIVE.

TWO INTERCHANGEABLY BIG VARIABLES.

GET OFF WAIT LIST.

WE AFFORD IT?

NUMBERS OUTSTANDING.

AVERAGE MONTHLY TUITION, $1,700 A MONTH FOR INFANTS.

WHO CAN AFFORD THAT?

>> NOT MANY.

INTERESTING IS LOOKING AT SOMETIMES UPWARDS OF 20 THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR.

NOT MUCH ASSISTANTS FOR FAMILY YOUNGER CHILD IS.

SO WE HAVE, WE SEE THAT THE NEED IS FROM BIRTH THROUGH FIVE.

AND IF YOU EVEN LOOK AT SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT ARE ACTUALLY IN THE CLASSROOMS, THEY DON'T EVEN MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO AFFORD THAT CHILD CARE.

ONE THING MAKE 13 TO 17 AN HOUR.

AVERAGE COST, CAN'T AFFORD INFANT CARE.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR A FAMILY.

HAVING TO FACE $1,700 A MONTH, FOUR CHILD CARE, BUT ONLY BRINGING HOME 2,000.

WHAT YOU HAVE TO MAKE THAT IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE.

SEE OFTENTIMES HAVING TO MAKE THAT IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE.

SOMETIMES BASED ON IF IT'S AVAILABLE.

AND AVAILABLE WHERE THEY NEED IT.

IF IT'S AFFORDABLE.

>>Yunji: TELL US ABOUT READY KEIKI AND HOW IT HOPES TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

>> THANKS FOR INVITING US ON THIS IMPORTANT SUBJECT MATTER.

AND YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO SAY, EVERYONE ONE OF US, AROUND THIS TABLE, IS PART OF READY KEIKI INITIATIVE.

THANKS TO GREAT WORK OF CHAIR WOODSON, AS CHAIR OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

WOODSON, HE HAS LAID SOME OF THE GROUND WORK WHAT WE ARE LAUNCHING.

READY KEIKI INITIATIVE VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THE STATE HAS DONE IN THE PAST.

BECAUSE IT IS LOOKING AT MIXED DELIVERY.

RECOGNIZING THAT IMPORTANCE OF PRIVATE PRESCHOOL AT THE SAME TIME, ALSO ADDING A LOT OF PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSROOMS.

CURRENTLY, LOOK AT THE THREE AND FOUR‑YEAR OLDS 35,000 THREE AND FOUR‑YEAR‑OLDS.

BUT ABOUT 18,000 ARE GOING TO PRESCHOOL.

OUT OF THE 18,000 17.9 OR CLOSE TO IT ARE ENROLLED IN PRIVATE PRESCHOOL.

ONLY ABOUT 900.

A THOUSAND, CLASSROOMS ARE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.

IT YOU SEE THE DISPARITY PRIVATE PRESCHOOL COSTING IN UPWARDS OF $1,500 SOMETIMES $1,700 A MONTH.

THAT'S EQUIVALENT TO SOMEBODY'S RENT.

SO FACT THAT THE LEGISLATURE THANKS TO EFFORTS OF CHAIR WOODSON, CHAIR KIDANI, DONOVAN AND MANY OTHERS, FOR THEM TO PRIORITIZE PRESCHOOL AND EXPANSION OF PRESCHOOLS AN COMMITTING LARGE AMOUNTS, $200 MILLION, IS HUGE.

FOR US TO BE ELEVATING THAT DISCUSSION, NOT JUST FOR US, AND FOR A LOT OF MANY FAMILIES.

FOR THE FUTURE, IT'S SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A SOCIAL EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUE.

>>Yunji: YOU ARE TAXED WITH REALLY PUTTING SHOVELIN THE GROUND.

BUILDING CLASSROOMS.

TELL US ABOUT THAT $200 MILLION WILL BE SPENT.

HOW MUCH OF IT IS DEDICATED SOLELY TO FACILITIES AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

YOU'RE ALSO UNDER A DEADLINE WITH THAT MONEY.

>> CORRECTS.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

ELEVATING THIS ISSUE.

TIME INVITE OR THIS.

SUPPORT FROM REP WOODSON AND OVER IN THE SENATE.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TO COME UP WITH THOSE NUMBERS.

SPOT ON.

THOSE NUMBERS ARE ACCURATE.

JUST TELL USES THAT TIME IS RIGHT.

OPPORTUNITY SFA HAS HERE TAKE THAT $200 MILLION.

LOOK AT OUR AGENCY PARTNERS.

PROGRAM PARTNERS.

AND SEE IF WE CAN GET AS MANY CLASSROOMS BUILT.

AGAIN, LIKE YOU SAID, IN THIS TIME FRAME, SPREAD OUT ACROSS THE STATE.

SO WE THE GOAL IS TO OPEN IN THE CADENCE WITH OUR PROGRAM PARTNERS AND I THINK QUESTION WAS HOW MUCH OF THAT WILL WE SPEND.

SPEND IS IT ALL.

BUILD AS MANY CLASSROOMS AS WE CAN ACROSS THE STATE OF HAWAII.

TO TACKLE THIS ISSUE OF PRE‑K FOR EVERY CHILD.

>>Yunji: WHEN WE THINK ABOUT BUILDING CLASSROOMS.

BUILDING STRUCTURE SORT OF WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH?

WE NEED IT IS TIME SENSITIVE.

ARE YOU TALKING MODULAR, TALKING ABOUT TRANSFORMING EXISTINGS CLASSROOM, NEW BUILDINGS?

WHAT EXACTLY IS THIS MIX?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

PLANNING TO DO ALL OF THAT.

PRIORITIZED FIRST CLASSROOMS IN THE MEDIA AREA.

READINESS AND WILLINGNESS TO OPEN.

FIRST CLASSROOMS WILL BE REMODELED OR RENOVATED CLASSROOMS.

MOST OF THESE FIRST 11, WILL OPEN A YEAR AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

JUST INCREASED TIMELINE.

WANT TO OPEN ALL OF IT THIS YEAR FIRST 11 CLASSROOMS.

WE DO HAVE PROJECTS IN THE QUEUE.

THREE OTHER CLASSROOMS AND ANOTHER WITH 7.

POSSIBLY HAVE 21 CLASSROOMS IN A MUCH ELEVATED TIME LIME.

MAYBE YEAR‑AND‑A‑HALF.

AGAIN RENOVATED CLASSROOMS.

REMODELED.

WE ARE LOOKING AT SITE ON‑GRADE BUILDS OR MODULAR BUILDS.

>> NOT THE SAME PORTABLE CLASSROOMS WE SAW IN THE PAST, THAT QUALITY MODULAR PLACED ON SITE INSTALLED ON VARIOUS SITE ACROSS THE STATE.

WE HAVE A LIST OF 41 LIST OF 55.

THAT WE COULD POSSIBLY GET.

ROLLED OUT FOR AUGUST OF 2024.

AND.

>>Yunji: PRETTY EXCITING.

PRETTY SOON.

WAI'ALAE WANT TO DIVE DEEP WHERE THEY SHOULD GO.

BRING YOU INTO THE CONVERSATION.

YOU REPRESENT MAUI.

TALK ABOUT ACCESS WHEN IT COME DOES NOT JUST FOLKS ON OAHU, WE KNOW THERE ARE SOME RURAL PARTS OF THIS ISLAND.

KNOW THAT'S NEIGHBOR ISLANDS CHALLENGE IS DISTANCE AND BUILDING CLASSROOMS IN AREA MIGHT NOT EVEN BE PRIVATE PRESCHOOL TO CHOOSE FROM.

WHERE SHOULD THEY BE BUILT.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.

I WANT TO SAY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS ALWAYS BEEN VERY GRACIOUS.

BUT SHE IS TISSUE THAT HAS LIFTED THIS WHOLE PROJECT UP.

WHY IT'S RUNNING.

VERY INVOLVED IN ACT 46.

AND SHE IS WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY.

FOR MAUI, IN THE NEIGHBOR ISLANDS, I WOULD SAY THAT THE CHALLENGE IS TRYING TO IDENTIFY THE GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF WHERE ACTUALLY THE DEED IS.

AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS IF YOU ACTUALLY LIVE UPCOUNTRY AS EXXON MAUI, BUT YOU WORK IN KAHULUI, WHICH IS WHERE MOST PEOPLE WORK, THEN YOU PROBABLY NEED TO ESTABLISH MORE PRESCHOOLS OR PREKINDERGARTENS IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA.

IS CONCERTED EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FIGURE OUT WHERE THE GEOGRAPHIC NEED IS MAP OUT TO SERVICE ENTIRETY OF THE ISLAND.

>>Yunji: THERE IS ISSUE OF CLASSROOMS THEMSELVES.

THEN THERE'S THE ISSUE OF STAFFING.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS WHEN WE HAVE ENOUGH, WE CAN HAVE ALL THE BUILDINGS.

BUT IF WE DON'T HAVE THE TEACHERS, THEN WE REALLY ARE NOWHERE.

>> BEFORE I GET TO THAT QUESTION, I WANTED TO FOLLOW UP ON CHAIR WOODSON'S COMMENTS.

THAT IS HUGE PARADIGM SHIFT FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII.

EXACTLY WHAT HE SAID.

WE'RE NOT JUST IN THE PAST, WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS BUILD PRESCHOOLS WHERE THE POPULATION LIVES.

BUT AS YOU MENTIONED, EVEN IF THE POPULATION LIVED IN REMOTE AREAS, WHERE KAHULUI OR LIHUE, OR DOWNTOWN HONOLULU.

WORK CENTERS THAT WE WANT TO FOCUS.

HUGE PARADIGM SHIFT BETWEEN THE SCHOOL FACILITIES AUTHORITY AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RECOGNIZING THAT WE DON'T JUST BUILD CLASSROOMS.

WHERE PEOPLE LIVE ANY MORE PLANNING TO BUILD CLASSROOMS AND WORK STATIONS AND WORKPLACES AND THAT SHIFT IN THIS MENTALITY.

AND SHIFT OF HOW WARRIOR TRYING TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

THROUGH RECOGNIZING ISSUE AND THEN WHAT IS THE BEST PATHWAY FOR PARENTS AND THE WORKFORCE.

>>Yunji: ALL COMMUTE TOGETHER.

RIGHT?

MAKES A LOT MORE SENSE.

>> NOW, LOOKING AT WORKFORCE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MANY OF US WE DON'T DO IS WE LOOK AT PROBLEMS, KIND OF IN COMPARTMENTALIZED SILOS.

WE HAVE $200 MILLION AND WE DETERMINE WE'RE GOING TO BUILD AS MANY CLASSROOMS AS WE CAN.

BUT EVEN IF WE BUILD 465 CLASSROOMS, IF WE DON'T HAVE 456 TEACHERS AND DON'T HAVE 465 TEACHING ASSISTANTS THEN WE'RE JUST GOING TO BE BUILDING EMPTY CLASSROOMS.

IN FACT, ON THE PRIVATE SIDE, IT'S ABOUT 65% CAPACITY.

CAPACITY ONLY BECAUSE NOT BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT KIDS, ABLE TO GO IN THE CLASSROOM.

THERE'S A WAIT LIST.

DON'T HAVE ENOUGH WORKERS TO FILL PRIVATE SEAT.

I THINK FOR US, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THE TEACHING PATHWAY.

ONE OF THE CHANGE THAT HAS JUST BEEN DONE, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII IN CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN ALL OF US, BETWEEN ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS HERE, WE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

IN THE PAST, TO BE PRESCHOOL TEACHER, YOU ALMOST HAVE TO DO DOUBLE MAJOR.

SO YOU HAVE TO DO UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII HAD PRE‑K TO THIRD GRADE DEGREE.

BUT YOU COULDN'T JUST HAVE THAT DEGREE.

YOU HAVE TO DOUBLE MAJOR IN A PRE‑K TO THIRD.

AND THEN KINDERGARTEN TO 8TH GRADE.

BECAUSE THE INTENSITY OF THAT PROGRAM, A LOT OF PEOPLE DROPPED OUT.

OPT TO JUST DO THE K TO 8.

IS THAT SYSTEM RESULTED IN A LOT OF FOLKS NOT WENTING TO CONTINUE IN THE PRE‑K.

DEGREE.

BUT PART OF IT WAS BECAUSE THERE WEREN'T CLASSES FOR THEM TO GO INTO THE WORKFORCE.

AFTER TALKING TO THE DEAN OF COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, HE MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF STUDENTS WERE INTERESTED AND IF WE END UP BUILDING AND THEN BIFURCATE THE TWO DEGREES AND MAKE A SINGLE DEGREE.

THINKS THERE IS AN INTEREST.

MEANTIME.

>> WHILE WE'RE BUILDING WORKING WITH THE UNIVERSITY, CHAMINADE, FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE TAILOR THESE DEGREES SO THAT STUDENTS WERE INTERESTED OR YOUNG ADULTS OR ADULTS ARE INTERESTED IN A PRESCHOOL PATHWAY CAN GET DEGREE IN EXPEDITED WAY.

>> I THINK ONE IMPORTANT THING IS WE HAVE A LOT OF THE THINGS WHETHER IT'S WORK THAT KEONE IS DOING, WORK REPRESENTATIVE WOODSON, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IS DOING, LIKE THE BOTH END, TIMES A MILLION.

THERE IS SO MANY THINGS THAT HAVE TO BE MOVING AT THE SAME TIME.

SO WE HAVE TO WORK ON THAT RECRUITMENT PIPELINE.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE TO WORK ON RETENTION.

WHAT I LIKE TO SAY, IF WE CREATE THIS PIPELINE, IT'S NO GOOD IF THERE'S A LEAKY BUCKET.

PROBLEM WITH THE WORKFORCE THAT WE HAVE IS NOT THAT WE NOT JUST WE NEED TO GET MORE FOLKS TO FILL THE 400 CLASSROOMS.

LOOK AT MAKING SURE KEEPING FOLKS IN THE WORKFORCE.

2018 AND 2020, LOST 20% OF OUR WORKFORCE.

PREPANDEMIC.

SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE HAVE FOLKS THAT ARE IN PRESCHOOL CLASSROOMS, THEY CAN FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A LIVING WAGE THAT THEY CAN STAY IN THOSE CLASSROOMS.

>> THAT'S NOT JUST GOOD TO MAKE SURE THEY STAY IN THE CLASSROOMS.

NO ONE CAN BUILD A PIPELINE FOR THE NEW CLASSROOMS.

GOOD FOR KIDS TOO.

HAVING THAT MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE EDUCATORS YEAR‑ROUND CONSISTENT MAKE A CAREER OF THAT.

I WANT TO ONE OF THINGS THAT REALLY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER AND WHY IT IS WONDERFUL TO SEE LIKE ALL OF THE DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS DOING THINGS AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S SO MANY AND.

HAS TO BE RECRUITMENT.

HAS TO BE RETENTION.

HAS TO BE FACILITIES.

SO ON AND SO FORTH.

I DO WANT TO MENTION THAT THE THERE IS PROBLEM OF THE WORKFORCE DID NOT START WITH THE PANDEMIC.

IT WAS PRIOR TO THAT.

THERE HAS TO BE EFFORTS TO DO THING LIKE RAISE WAGES.

>>Yunji: 13 TO $17 APP AN HOUR.

KIND OF CREDENTIAL THAT'S LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IS PRESENTING, DOESN'T REALLY SEEM TO MATCH.

IS THERE A MOVE TO TRY TO RAISE SOME OF THOSE WAGES?

>> ONE OF THE WONDERFUL THINGS, AGAIN, REPRESENTATIVE WOODSON, ACTUALLY WAS ONE OF THE SPONSORS FOR OUR BILL, TO HELP PILOT A PROGRAM THAT WOULD RAISE WAGES FOR CHILD CARE WORKFORCE, EARLY CHILD CARE EDUCATION WORKFORCE, THIS IS LOOKING AT THE COMMUNITY‑BASED PROGRAMS.

WHAT IS WONDERFUL IS IN THE EOL PROGRAM, ACTUALLY HAVE PAY PARITY WITH KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS AND K THROUGH 6 TEACHERS.

IT'S ON THE COMMUNITY‑BASED PROGRAM SIDE, THAT WE SEE THAT VERY LOW WAGE.

SO THERE HAS BEEN A MOVE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY THAT WE NEED TO RAISE THESE WAGES.

TO RETAIN WORKFORCE.

WORKING WITH LEGISLATORS TO START PILOT SOME OF THOSE PROGRAMS.

IDEA IS INITIATE THE PROGRAM NOW.

SO WHEN KEONE CLASSROOMS ARE BUILT, AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MOVES ON MANY SO THESE PIECES.

HAVE THE PROGRAM READY TO ROLL OUT FOR THE ENTIRE BIRTH THROUGH FIVE CONTINUUM.

>>Yunji: GO AHEAD.

>> ADD ON TO WHAT WAS BEING SAID.

DIFFERENT WAYS IN WHICH WE ADDRESS THE WAGE GAP BETWEEN PUBLIC SECTOR, TEACHERS AND PRESCHOOL TEACHERS ON THE PRIVATE SIDE.

AND THERE ARE PLANS WITHIN DHS TO INCREASE SUBSIDY AMOUNT TO FAMILIES $1,500 OR ACCREDITED PROGRAMS AND $1,000 NONACCREDITED PROGRAMS.

TAKE THAT MONEY THROUGH PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS AND ACTUALLY APPLY IT THOSE SCHOOLS.

SCHOOLS HAVE MORE MONEY AVAILABLE FOR THEM.

HOPEFULLY PAY THEIR TEACHERS MORE.

>>Yunji: TALK ABOUT PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS.

GRAPHIC ON THAT.

IF YOU WOULD JUST LEAD US THROUGH.

LITTLE BIT OF THAT.

I THINK WE HAVE A GRAPHIC.

PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS AND ALSO ON CHILD CARE CONNECTIONS HAWAII.

I KNOW THIS IS REALLY YOUR WHEELHOUSE HERE.

TELL US ABOUT PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW, BASICALLY SUBSIDY.

ATTEND PRIVATE PRESCHOOL.

UP VOUCHER.

SO THAT YOU CAN GET INTO SOME OF THESE SLOTS AND UNDER READY KEIKI, THIS IS GOING TO BE EXPANDED.

IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING.

I KNOW THAT JUST SO FOR FOLKS MAY NOT BE AS FAMILIAR WITH THE TWO TYPES OF PROGRAMS, CHILD CARE CONNECTION HAWAII IS FUNDED BY FEDERAL CHILD CARE DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT.

OPEN TO BIRTH THROUGH 13 YEARS OLD.

CAN YOU ACTUALLY USE IT FOR BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE.

PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS IS THE STATE FUNDED PROGRAM THAT RIGHT NOW, IS 11 MILLION RIGHT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR?

I KNOW THAT THERE IS PLANS TO EXPAND PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS.

MAYBE I'LL HAND TO EVER TO THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

>> PARTS OF THE READY K INITIATIVE, IS TO EXPAND PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS.

>> SUBSIDY FROM 12 MILLION TO 50 MILLION.

PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS ABOUT 1400 CHILDREN.

HOPING EXPANSION PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS FROM 12 TO 50 SERVE US A LOT MORE KIDS.

AT THE SAME TIME, INCREASING SUBSIDY.

AVERAGE GIVEN TO FAMILY AROUND $700.

POTENTIALLY, AS CHAIR WOODSON MENTIONED, WE WILL INCREASE THE SUBSIDY TO ABOUT $1,500.

THEN IT WILL BE SLIDING SCALE.

FOR DIFFERENT INCOME.

LEVELS.

PEOPLE ON THE LOWER INCOME SCALE WILL GET A LARGER AMOUNT BUT PEOPLE IN THE HIGHER INCOME SCALE WILL GET A LOWER AMOUNT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE WOODSON IN THE PAST, IDEA HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK BY SOME EDUCATORS ESPECIALLY PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATORS WHO FEEL LIKE MONEY SHOULD ALL GO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL PROGRAM.

AS OPPOSED TO BEING DISBURSED PRIVATE PROGRAM.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS HAVING SORT OF MIX ADD APPROACH THAT SOME OF THE MONEY DOES GO TO PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS AS WELL AS PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS?

>> WE ARE ON IT.

IN ALL HANDS ON DECK MOMENT.

WE NEED ALL, OFFERINGS PORTFOLIO OF OFFERINGS FAMILY TO DECIDE.

BEST APPROACH.

FOR SOME, PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAM MIGHT BE MOST APPROPRIATE.

FOR OTHER, THEY PREFER HAWAIIAN IMMERSION.

FOR OTHERS STILL, PREFER HYBRID SYSTEM.

BETWEEN HAWAIIAN IMMERSION AND LEARNING ENGLISH.

FOR OTHERS, THEY HAVE SOME KIND OF SPECIALIZED WANT FOR THEIR EDUCATION.

BE BETTER FOUND ON THE PRIVATE SECTOR SIDE.

SO OUR JOB IS TO TRY TO IDENTIFY WHAT THE NEED AND WANTS IS ANY PARTICULAR AREA.

TO TRY TO FULFILL THAT NEED.

SHORT ANSWER IS WE NEED BOTH.

>> I WANT TO BRING YOU IN ON THIS.

>>Yunji: QUESTION FROM ALANA IN MAKIKI.

WOULD THE STATE BE LOOKING TO ACQUIRE PROPERTIES OR LAND TO BUILD NEW PRESCHOOLS?

THIS GOES INTO WHAT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WAS TALKING ABOUT BLILDING SCHOOLS FOR PEOPLE WORK AS OPPOSED TO JUST SIMPLY WHERE THEY LIVE.

ARE YOU LOOKING TO ACQUIRE NEW LAND OR ARE YOU JUST BUILDING ON EXISTING PROPERTY?

>> FIRST THAT I TALKED ABOUT, 11 AND POSSIBLY NINE MORE, DOING THIS ON D.O.E.

CAMPUSES CHART SCHOOLS.

DEFINITELY LOOK AT PROPERTIES TO BUILD WHERE THERE IS SO‑CALLED DESERT.

ISN'T SEATS FOR PUBLIC PRE‑K.

ACTIVELY DOING THAT RIGHT HAVE A COUPLE OF IDENTIFIED PROPERTIES.

DOING JUST THAT TYPE OF WORK.

>>Yunji: YOU SAID THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT 11 TO OPEN BY AUGUST.

WHICH IS VERY EXCITING.

CAN YOU GIVE US IDEA OF WHERE THOSE MIGHT BE WITHOUT YOU DON'T HAVE TOLD US THE ACTUAL ZIP CODE.

ALL ON OAHU?

THROUGHOUT THE STATE IN.

>> THOSE FIRST CLASSROOMS WERE PICKED FROM THE NEEDIEST AREAS ALL OF OUR ISLAND.

AT LEAST ONE CLASSROOM EVERY ISLAND AND MULTIPLE CLASSROOMS.

AROUND THE STATE.

YES, SPREAD OUT.

WE NEEDED ALL.

>> TWO ON MAUI.

ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR.

FIVE, SIX, SEVEN.

OAHU.

IDENTIFIED ONE ON THE BIG ISLAND.

ONE ON KAUAI.

I THINK VIEWERS STATEWIDE.

BE HAPPY TO HEAR THAT.

MIKE KAILUA HAS A QUESTION.

WHAT IS THE READY KEIKI PROGRAM IS IMPLEMENTED, WOULD IT BRING DOWN THE COST OF PRESCHOOL?

WE SAW THOSE NUMBERS THAT SHE PRESENTED.

DO YOU THINK THAT COST WILL GO DOWN FOR FAMILIES?

>> WE ARE HOPING THAT INDIVIDUALS BY PROVIDING PRESCHOOL ACCESSIBILITY, PUBLIC PRESCHOOLS WILL CLEARLY BE FREE.

BUT AT LEAST, EVEN ON THE PRIVATE SIDE, BY INCREASING THE SUBSIDIES UNDER PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS, INCREASING EXPANDING THE ACCESS UNDER CHILD CARE BLOCK GRANT.

WHICH IS CHILD CARE CONNECTIONS FUNDING, WE'RE HOPING THAT IT WOULD BRING DOWN THE COST FOR.

INTO THIS THAT INCREASE, ANOTHER QUESTION HERE.

CAN WE EXPAND SUBSIDIES FOR MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES THAT DO NOT CURRENTLY QUALIFY IN THE EXPANSION.

ONE OF THE BIG THINGS.

>> ANOTHER THING THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER, THIS IS BUILDING ON WORK IN THE PAST.

BUILDING ON WORK FOR THE LAST FEW DECADES.

WORK OF THE SORRY.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, WHETHER THEY PASSED ACT 46, MEANT TO BE INCREMENTAL.

SO WE CAN START AND ONE PLACE AND KEEP GOING.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER, WE CAN START WITH THESE BASELINES AT THE END, MOVE TOWARDS IF THE VISION ACT 36 WAS UNIVERSAL ACCESS.

MAKE SURE ACCESS IS MEANINGFUL FOR FAMILIES.

BACK TO THE TWO MAJOR BARRIER.

>> AVAILABILITIES.

MAKING SURE THAT THERE ARE SEATS AVAILABLE FAMILIES NEED THEM.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO FILL IN.

TALK ABOUT WHERE DO FAMILIES NEED THEM, IT'S INTERESTING TO LOOK BECAUSE IF I TALKED TO FRIENDS ON THE WAIANAE COAST.

ON OAHU.

THEY WANT CHILD CARE PROGRAMS IN TOWN WHERE THEY WORK.

THEN I TALKED TO FRIENDS ON THE WINDWARD SIDE OF OAHU.

BECAUSE WE TURNED TO WINDWARD SIDE, WE TEND TO LIVE IN MULTIGENERATIONAL HOUSING.

WANT IT WHERE TUTU CAN PICK UP KIDS.

JUST DEPENDS.

KNOWING AND HAVING, ALL HANDS ON DECK.

TO KNOW WHERE THE NEEDS ARE.

INCREASE THAT AVAILABILITY.

THEN I THINK A LOT OF HOPE FOR ADVOCATES FOR THOSE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMUNITY TAKE THAT NEXT STEP TOWARDS BRINGING DOWN THE COST.

WHEN THINKS ABOUT UNIVERSAL ACCESS, LOOK LOW COST OR NO COST PROGRAMS.

FOR NEARLY ALL HAWAII'S FAMILIES.

NOT GOING TO GET THERE NEXT YEAR.

I HAVE TO BE REAL.

NOT GOING TO GET THERE NEXT YEAR.

THAT'S THE DREAM.

I THINK NICE THING ABOUT THIS INITIATIVE IS BRINGS FOLKS TO THE TABLE.

TO GET US THERE.

ONE STEP AT A TIME.

TOWARDS THAT.

UNIVERSAL ACCESS GOAL.

>>Yunji: AS YOU RAMP, OPEN MORE FACILITIES, WHAT IS THE SORT OF TIME FRAME IN WE SAID 2032 TO GET EVERYONE ACCESS.

BUT IT'S SORT OF AS YOU OPEN THIS, AS YOU GO.

OPPOSED TO WAIT TILL THE END.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> YOU'RE RIGHT.

TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THAT CADENCE, HOW TO OPEN.

RIGHT?

SELECTING SITES THAT HAVE IN THIS READINESS.

TAKING ON THE CHALLENGE OF PUBLIC PRE‑K WE'VE DONE 50 CLASSROOMS.

AROUND 50 PUBLIC PRE‑K CLASSROOMS OUT THERE.

TRYING TO EXPAND IN THE NEXT TWO TO 3 YEARS AND DOUBLE THAT.

KEEP DOUBLING AS WE GO ALONG TILL WE GET TO OUR NUMBER.

OF COURSE AS WE GET BETTER AT IT WE MAY BE ABLE TO OPEN A LOT QUICKER.

BUT FOR NOW, JUST KIND OF TAKE A BITE AND CLUE AND TAKE A BITE AND CHEW.

REALLY BIG STEP THAT OUR PROGRAM PARTNERS WITH THE HELP OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, TO GET THE FIRST 11 OPEN AHEAD OF TIME.

IF WE CAN DO THAT, I THINK WE CAN SEE FASTER CADENCE IF YOU WILL.

MORE CLASSES OPEN.

I DID WANT TO ADD, THAT TO THE POINTS OF BUILDING WHERE FAMILIES WANT TO SEND THEIR KIDS CLOSER TO WORKFORCE, WE ARE BEING VERY INTENTIONAL IN BUILDING FACILITIES PERHAPS ON HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUSES LOOKING AT HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUSES TO HELP ADJUST IT'S WORKFORCE ISSUE.

BUILDING THESE CLASSES ON THE UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES HELP ADDRESS THE WORKFORCE ISSUE.

FILLING SEATS AND BRINGING FACILITIES WHERE WE HOPE WE CAN START TO RECRUIT.

RECRUIT YOUNGER.

A SCHOOL KIDS START TO WORK IN THESE FACILITIES TO COLLEGE PROGRAMS.

ET CETERA.

SO ANOTHER WAY OF BEING INTENTIONAL HERE.

>>Yunji: OFFICE OF EARLY LEARNING HAS A BUDGET REQUEST TO INCREASE CAPACITY BY ABOUT 50 CLASSROOMS ADDITIONAL CLASSROOMS COMPARED TO WHAT HE HAVE NOW.

>> SO EVERYONE IS ON BOARD.

WORK BETTER.

MAKE SURE WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL OF OUR FAMILIES.

>>Yunji: LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE STEPS U.H.

TAKING.

THIS ONE IS FROM KAILUA.

I WONDER IF YOU'LL TAKE THAT ONE.

ANY WAY TO FAST TRACK EDUCATION PROCESS OFFERING ASSOCIATE DEGREE AT COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

SPOKE ABOUT PERHAPS HAVING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OR CURRENT COLLEGE STUDENTS I WOULD IMAGINE THEY WOULDN'T BE THE LEAD TEACHER.

PERHAPS THEY COULD BE TEACHER'S ASSISTANT.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> YOU CAN BECOME A TEACHER.

BECOME A TEACHER'S ASSISTANT TAKING CONTRACTED COURSEWORK.

THAT COULD BE DONE AT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

BY THE WAY, WE HAVE HAWAII PROMISE PROGRAM ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS TO GO TO WORK FOR FREE.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY.

BUT EVEN EXPANDING ON THAT QUESTION, YOU'RE RIGHT.

WE NEED TO DO THINGS IT FACILITATE AND INCREASE THE PIPELINE.

ONE.

INITIATIVES THAT WE HAVE IS A EARLY LEARNING TEACHER TYPE PROGRAM.

THAT WILL ALLOW INDIVIDUALS THAT WANT TO GO THROUGH THE FULL TEACHER PROGRAM, THAT APPROVED BY STATE AGENCY, TO DO SO.

AND THE STATE WILL PAY FOR THOSE COURSEWORK.

AND SO WE HAVE VARIETY OF DIFFERENT OFFERINGS.

WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROVIDE MORE TA'S BUT ALSO TEACHERS MUCH PUBLIC SECTOR AND PRIVATE SECTOR.

>>Yunji: I WANT TO TAKE US BACK JUST A STEP.

I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT PRESCHOOL IS BENEFICIAL FOR CHILDREN.

YOU WERE EDUCATOR.

AT ONE POINT.

DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT.

COMPLEX AREA SUPERINTENDENT.

TELL US ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE THAT YOU SEE IN THE KIDS WOULD HAVE EXPERIENCED PRESCHOOL AND THOSE WHO HAVEN'T.

WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

REQUEST YOU'RE A PRINCIPAL AND COME WALKING CLASSROOM, KIDS THAT CAN QUALITY UPBRINGING.

NOT JUST IN PUBLIC PRE‑K.

SOME HAVE GREAT PARENTS AT HOME THEY COULD STAY WITH.

DEFINITELY CAN POINT OUT THE KIDS THAT BENEFITED FROM PRESCHOOL.

DOESN'T MATTER.

WHETHER KA'U OR CLOSER TO TOWN, KEAAU, YOU CAN PICK THEM UP.

PRETTY EASILY.

I'M NOT TALKING JUST IN KINDERGARTEN.

THIRD GRADE, CAN YOU PICK THAT OUT.

TAKES SO LONG TO CATCH THESE KIDS UP DON'T HAVE THESE EXPERIENCES.

>>Yunji: EXPAND ON THAT TELL US ABOUT THE OUTCOMES BACK.

WONDERFUL, NOT JUST PRE‑K.

FOUNDATION OF LITERACY, MATH, WE TALK ABOUT THINGS LIKE OBJECT PERMANENCE.

MIGHT BE LIKE A FUNDAMENTAL DEVELOPMENTAL SKILL.

KID NOT TAKE GETTING IT MIGHT WANT TO TALK PEDIATRICIAN.

STAR OF MATH.

HOW KIDS UNDERSTAND MATH.

ONE‑TO‑ONE CORRESPONDENCE.

WHAT WE THINK OF SCHOOL READINESS, BUT WHAT IS LAUGH BECAUSE I WASES YOU REALLY DO CONCEDE.

ONE OF THE BIG ISLAND OF AREAS THAT PRESCHOOL EDUCATION PROVIDES IS DEVELOPMENT THAT SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS.

SO WE SEE KIDS LEARNING HOW TO HANDLE THEIR ANGER.

SEE KIDS LEARNING HOW TO RESOLVE CONFLICT.

HOW TO JUST BE A KID AROUND ANOTHER KID.

11‑MONTH‑OLD, FEEL LIKE HE THOUGHT HE WAS AN ADULT FOR SO LONG FINALLY IN CHILD CARE, FIGURE OUT WHAT'S LIKE TO PLAY AND PLAY APPROPRIATELY SKILLS, IF YOU LOOK AT THE OUTOUTCOMES BACK STUFF TESTING AND BEING ABLE TO GO TO COLLEGE.

BUT EVEN JUST I THINK STUDY THAT SHOWED THAT IF CHILD WENT TO A QUALITY PRESCHOOL PROGRAM, THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO APPLY TO COLLEGE.

THAT HUGE.

THAT SHOWS RESILIENCE.

THAT SHOWS ABILITY TO WEATHER STRESS.

SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PRE‑K EDUCATION, IT IS FUNDAMENTAL FOR WHAT WE THINK IS K THROUGH 12 AND HIGHER EDUCATION.

IT'S JUST LIFE SKILLS.

SETTING KIDS UP TO BE ENGAGED AND CURIOUS.

CIVICALLY LISTEN GAUGED PEOPLE.

>>Yunji: WHAT THE SCHOOL IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

WE HAVE A STAFFING CHALLENGE HERE.

PARENT DROPS CHILD OFF, WILL THIS INCLUDE AFTER SCHOOL CARE?

WHAT IS THE VISION TO START?

>> SO I THINK DESCRIBING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PUBLIC MODEL AND PRIVATE MODEL.

AND REASON WHY THERE IS READY KEIKI INITIATIVE MIXED DELIVERY.

WE ARE LOOKING AT BUILDING ON THE PUBLIC MODEL AT THE SAME TIME KEEPING PRIVATE MODEL INTACT.

PUBLIC SCHOOL YOU HAVE TO PICK UP YOUR CHILD AT 2:15.

LIVE FAR AWAY FROM WORKING A LOT OF PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY WORKING FAMILIES DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO PICK UP THEIR CHILD AT 2:15.

SEND THEM HOME.

SOMETIMES THEY WOULD BE HOME ALONE.

UNDER PRIVATE MODEL COULD BE OPEN AS EARLY AS 7:00 A.M.

PROVIDE SERVICE UNTIL 6:00 P.M. OR LATER.

WHILE WE ARE OPENING PRESCHOOLS WE HAVE TO BE MINDFUL WHAT THE WORKFORCE NEEDS.

WHICH IS IDEA SITUATION, BECAUSE WE'RE NOT JUST ONLY LOOKING AT PRESCHOOL, IDEA SITUATION IS WORKING WITH PROVIDERS.

ABOUT PROVIDING AFTER SCHOOL CARE.

MAYBE MAXIMIZING THE FEDERAL CHILD CARE BLOCK GRANT TO PROVIDE BEFORE SCHOOL, AFTER SCHOOL, TRANSPORTATION, TRANSPORTATION AS WELL.

I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT ENTIRE PACKAGE BECAUSE THE THING THAT WE DON'T WANT, AND CHAIR WOODSON KNOWS THIS, KEAPU HAS ALSO WORKED IN THE EOEA THING WE DON'T WANT IS BUILD PRESCHOOLS ON THE PUBLIC SIDE AND NOT BE FILLED.

>>Yunji: I DOUBT THAT WOULD HAPPEN.

IF IT THE SCHOOL DAY DOES END AT 2:15.

THAT CAN BE HARD FOR WORK PARENTS.

PLEASE GO AHEAD.

>> CAN I ADD TO THAT?

SFA DESIGNING THESE CLASSROOMS.

START CONSTRUCTION OF THESE CLASSROOMS.

CHARTER HAS CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS, CHARTER SCHOOLS CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS OR D.O.E.

CAMPUSES HAVE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS OR, WOW, WE ARE EOEL.

BUILDING CLASSROOMS CAN BE OPERATED BY ANYBODY THAT IS ACCREDITED OR HAS A LICENSE.

HOPING THIS SOLVES THAT BE PROBLEM.

IF THE DAY FOR PUBLIC PRE‑K ENDS AT 2:15, WE COULD START TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT PROVIDING COMING IN FROM 2:15 TO 5:00.

NOT BUILDING MINIMUM.

BUILDING MAXIMIZE ALL OF THESE LICENSES REQUIREMENTS.

>> IDEA WOULD BE THEN YOU HAVE A CONTRACTOR COMES BACK IN AND TAKES CARE OF THE AFTERNOON.

>> START THE CONVERSATION.

WE CAN'T START THE CONVERSATION IF WE DON'T HAVE THE FACILITIES IS THAT ALLOW FOR THEM.

>>Yunji: HOW DOES THAT LOOK DIFFERENT IN HOW DO YOU BUILD FOR THAT VERSUS BUILDING THE OTHER KIND OF MODEL THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT?

>> I THINK YOU BUILD PRESCHOOL EXPERIENCE.

YOU BUILD TO THE LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS.

ACTUALLY PUT HAVE A LIST IN FRONT OF YOU AND YOU CHECK EVERY BOX.

AND THE ONES THAT ARE EXEMPT.

CHECK THEM TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE.

MAY BE CLASSROOM HERE OR THERE WE CAN'T DO IT.

NEED TO OPEN.

AND THAT COULD PROBABLY HAPPEN.

THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE AIMING FOR.

AIMING FOR FULL LICENSURE WITH NO EXEMPTIONS.

SO THIS CAN BE OPERATED BY ANY LICENSED.

>>Yunji: SOMETHING THAT I THINK EVERYONE AGREES IS NECESSARY.

I WOULD IMAGINE THAT PEOPLE THOUGHT THIS WAS NECESSARY FOR SOOME TIME.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT NOW?

>> YOU KNOW, EVEN IF WE THINK THIS IS NO‑BRAINER, IT HAS BEEN VERY CHALLENGING AND DIFFICULT JOURNEY.

I THINK JUST FROM OUR HISTORY, OF WHERE CONVERSATION HAS GONE, I THINK PROBLEM THAT THE STATE AND STATE ADMINISTRATION AND STATE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN THIS RESOLVING THIS ISSUE, WAS JUST KIND OF ONE SIZE FITS ALL.

SO WHEN SEVERAL ADMINISTRATIONS AGO, THEY LOOK AT CONAM LOOK AT ALL PRIVATE MODEL.

CLEARLY THAT DIDN'T PASS AND THAT WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT PUBLIC SUPPORTED IT.

WE MAY BE LOOKED AT TRYING TO RAMP UP JUST ANOTHER PUBLIC MODEL THAT DIDN'T WORK EITHER.

CANNOT IGNORE NEEDS WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE PRIVATE SIDE.

THINK THAT IS WHY WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW THROUGH THE READY KEIKI ENGINE INITIATIVE.

OPTIMAL.

BRINGING PRIVATE VOICES AND MANY SECTORS PRIVATE OR PUBLIC DEPARTMENTS.

LOOKING AT PATHWAY.

NOT JUST CONSTRUCTION.

WORKFORCE BUILD‑OUT, HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE START AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL AND MAYBE DO A TEACHING ASSISTANT.

WE HAVE SO MUCH SUCCESSFUL MODELS, WAIPAHU HIGH SCHOOL.

SEVERAL KIDS GRADUATING FROM WAIPAHU HIGH SCHOOL WITH NOT JUST A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA, BUT WITH OUR AA.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO DO PERHAPS WAIPAHU HIGH SCHOOL, OTHER HIGH SCHOOLS GRADUATE, THEY CAN HAVE THAT AA CERTIFICATE.

FROM TEACHING ASSISTANT.

IF THEY WANT TO BE A PRESCHOOL TEACHER, THEN YOU JUST NEED TWO ADDITIONAL YEARS TO BECOME PRESCHOOL STARTER.

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII STARTING TO LOOK AT.

WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES ON ALL THE ISLANDS ABOUT STARTING TEACHING ASSISTANT PATHWAY THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

>> MAYBE TO SAY, THIS ENDEAVOR SO IMPORTANT.

BECAUSE IT IS ABOUT PREPAREDNESS.

AND WHEN WE LOOK AT HIGH PERFORMING SYSTEMS GLOBALLY, IN A A CROSS THE COUNTRY, ONE OF THE KUPUNA THAT THEY HAVE IS THAT THEIR KIDS ENTER INTO KINDERGARTEN READY TO LEARN.

SO BY PROVIDING THESE HIGH QUALITY EARLY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.

>> KNOW KIDS OFF TO A GOOD START WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE AND WE HOPE THAT OUR FAMILIES WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

IT'S NOT ONLY ABOUT PREPAREDNESS.

WHICH AGAIN, IS PRIMARY OBJECTIVE.

IT'S ABOUT HOW DO WE BETTER SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES.

I WAS TALKING WITH MY FRIEND, JUST RAN INTO HER, SHE IS MARRIED, WITH TWO KIDS, LIVES IN HAWAII KAI.

CHOSE AREA BECAUSE OF THE SCHOOLS.

ONE OF THEIR CHILDREN ARE IN THIRD GRADE.

OTHER ONE IS IN PRESCHOOL.

SHE DISCLOSE TO DO ME THEY'RE HAVING A HARD TIME.

THEY ARE $700 IN DEFICIT.

MONTH AFTER MONTH.

AFTER MONTH.

SO IMAGINE, IF WE CAN PROVIDE SUBSIDY FOR HER AND HER FAMILY, SHE CANNOT ONLY PROVIDE FOR HER FAMILY BETTER, SHE HAS LESS STRESS.

LESS STRESS.

AND CHILD CAN POTENTIALLY HAVE A HIGH QUALITY EARLY LEARNING OPPORTUNITY.

SO ENTIRETY OF ALL OF THESE THINGS.

WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> KEY DIFFERENCE THIS TIME, I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF WORK OVER.

WITHOUT THAT WORK, WE WOULDN'T BE WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

BUT ONE I THINK KEY GOLDEN MOMENT, COMPONENT THAT MAKES US GOLDEN MOMENT, THERE IS OVER YEAR OVER YEAR, SEEING MORE INVESTMENTS.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT THE $200 MILLION THAT SHE AND REP WOODSON GOT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE LAST YEAR.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT EXPANSION MORE MONEY ANNUALLY TO PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS.

MAKING SURE THAT WE PROVIDE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE EDUCATION IS NOT CHEAP.

AS WE CAN SEE, WITH FAMILIES STRUGGLING, FRIEND WHO IS $700 IN THE HOLE EVERY SINGLE MONTH, IT IS NOT CHEAP.

I THINK SEEING THAT FOLKS READY AND SAYING THIS IS GOING TO COST MONDAY.

>> READY AND WILLING TO PUT OUR MONEY WHERE OUR VALUES ARE.

THEN IN ADDITION TO THAT, I THINK ANOTHER DIFFERENCE IS COMING AROUND THIS UNDERSTANDING.

IT HAS TO BE THIS MULTICOMPONENT SOLUTION.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE, I HAVEN'T SOON WHEN I LOOK OVER THE PAST EFFORT,, IS KIND OF BROADBASED UNDERSTANDING THAT WE NEED TO WORK ON THE WORKFORCE INSTALLMENT, WE WORK ON EVERYTHING ELSE.

I THINK THAT IS CREATING A GOLDEN MOMENT, WORK ON FACILITIES.

>> INVESTMENT BUILDING PIPELINE WORK A LOT OF FOLKS IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMUNITY TO RAISE WAGES IMPROVE RETENTION.

OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKFORCE.

I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS COMING TOGETHER.

TO REALLY CREATE A GOLDEN MOMENT HERE.

>>Yunji: WHEN HAVE YOU KIND OF SYNERGY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TALKING ABOUT WAIPAHU HIGH SCHOOL.

ANYONE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THAT SCHOOL, TRULY AMAZING TO HAVE THEY HAVE ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF CAREER PATHWAYS.

THERE.

SORT OF IN ACTION.

DO YOU ENVISION ACTUALLY PUTTING ANY OF THESE FACILITIES ON THOSE CAMPUSES?

SO THAT YOU COULD HAVE THAT DIRECT PATHWAY RIGHT THERE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT THE PLAN IS TO START PERHAPS EVEN AT WAIPAHU.

BECAUSE SO FAR AHEAD OF THE GAME.

SCHOOLS LIKE WAIAKEA, CAREER ACADEMY SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.

GET ONE DONE.

SEE IT SPREAD FROM THERE.

CAN'T WAIT.

NOT DO THAT IT HAS TO BE, WE GOT TO GET OUR HIGH SCHOOL KIDS THINKING ABOUT THIS AS A REAL PROFESSION.

BECAUSES SO NEW, IT MIGHT NO BE LOOKED AT AS THE HONORABLE PROFESSION.

WE NEED TO DO IT.

IT IS THE GREATEST WORK.

BEING A TEACHER MUCH AND IT'S HARDEST BEING A PRE‑K TEACHER.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT MUCH.

>>Yunji: QUESTION FROM JEAN.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IF YOU TAKE THAT ONE.

SCHOOLS ARE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, WHO OVERSEES THEM AND HOLDS THEM ACCOUNTABLE?

THERE IS THIS QUESTION OF ACCOUNTABILITY.

TALKING ABOUT THIS SORT OF HYBRID WHERE YOU MIGHT HAVE PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THE DAY AND THEN PRIVATE PROVIDE UNDER THE AFTERNOON.

HOW WOULD THAT WORK?

>> FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IT WOULD BE WELCOME BACK THE JURISDICTION OF THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF EARLY LEARNING.

SO STATUTORILY, THEY HAVE JURISDICTION OVERALL.

CURRENT PRESCHOOLS, AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE JURISDICTION OVER ANY NEW PRESCHOOLS THAT ARE BUILT.

PRIVATE SIDE UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL PROVIDERS.

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, DOES THE LICENSING.

ON ACCREDITATION AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE MANDATED BY BOTH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS.

BUT IT WOULDN'T BE ONE SYSTEM THAT OVERSEES ALL.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF EARLY LEARNING.

DO THE PRIVATE SIDE OR PUBLIC SIDE.

AND THEN PRIVATE SIDE, IT WILL BE DIFFERENT PROVIDERS.

INTO QUESTION FROM JAN IN HONOLULU.

I WONDER IF YOU COULD TAKE THAT.

I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO HAD A ONE.

HOW DOES THE HEAD START PROGRAM RELATE TO NEW EFFORTS ON UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL IN HAWAII,.

>> HEAD START WONDERFUL PROGRAM.

>> FEDERALLY FUNDED GRANTS TO PRIVATE PROVIDER.

PARENTS AND CHILDREN TOGETHER.

COUNTERPARTS ON OTHER ISLANDS.

>> HEAD START IS MODEL, SO THEY ARE LIKE QUINTESSENTIAL COMMUNITY‑BASED NONPROFIT PROGRAM.

IT HAS I JUST, WANT TO SHARE THAT LONG HISTORY.

SEVERAL DECADES AT THIS POINT.

LOTS OF GOOD OUTCOMES BACK.

PROVIDES, REALLY IS MODEL PROGRAM.

TO BRING IN THE SUPPORTS THAT FAMILIES NEED.

NOT JUST LIKE IN THE CLASSROOM.

TO HAVE THOSE WRAP AROUND SUPPORTS.

IT IS AN OPTION THAT SAY, SO IF KEONE FOLKS WANT TO BUILDING IS, ON CAMPUS, OR IN AN AREA THAT MAYBE IS NOT ON A CAMPUS, MAYBE ISN'T RIGHT FOR EOEL OR CHARTER SCHOOL, TO TAKE ON HEAD START CAN COME IN AND DO THAT.

AT THIS MOMENT, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF, A NUMBER I DON'T KNOW THE NUMBER.

THERE ARE TIMES OF HEAD START CLASSROOMS ALREADY ON D.O.E.

CAMPUSES.

SO THAT IS ANOTHER MODEL WHERE WE ACTUALLY COULD SEE EVEN MORE SYNERGY BETWEEN PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

MIGHT WANT TO PUT YOUR FINANCE CHAIR HAT BACK ON.

NEXT QUESTION.

HE HAVE THE 200 MILLION.

LARGELY DEVOTING THAT TO A LOT OF FACILITIES BUILD ALONG WITH SOME OTHER EFFORTS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

WHAT'S THE NEXT TRAUNCH OF MONEY THAT IS NEEDED?

HOW IS THIS GOING TO MOVE FORWARD?

WHAT IS THE NEXT TRAUNCH?

>> ESTIMATED AMOUNT FOR NEW CLASSROOM.

$2 MILLION.

RENOVATED WAS A MILLION DOLLARS.

BEING FORMER FINANCE HEALTH CARE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE MAXIMIZE THE AMOUNT WE SPEND ON THE NUMBER OF CLASSROOMS THANKS TO THE EFFORT OF SFA AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, WE ARE PROBABLE LOOKING AT REDUCING THE COST OF CONSTRUCTION FROM $2 MILLION ON ALL THE WAY DOWN TO $500,000.

FABULOUS PEOPLE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WHO ARE MOVING AHEAD AND THANK TO KEONE, WE'RE TRYING TO MAXIMIZE $200 MILLION.

AND TRY TO BUILD AS MANY AS WE CAN.

I'M GOING BACK TO THE QUESTION ABOUT HEAD START.

ON KAUAI.

THERE WAS A HEAD START PROGRAM AT KILAUEA AND THEY STOPPED THE PROGRAM BECAUSE THE CLASSROOM THAT THE HEAD START PROGRAM WAS IN, IT WAS SOLD THROUGH EATON, CLOSED DOWN.

FULLEN ENROLLMENT, FEEL REALLY BAD FOR THESE FAMILIES.

KEONE STEPPED IN.

WHERE WE THROUGH THE READY KEIKI INITIATIVE TAKING ON THAT KILAUEA ELEMENTARY.

WILL BE PART OF THE 11.

GOING IN AND RENOVATING THAT HEAD START CLASSROOM.

>>Yunji: EXCITING.

GOOD NEWS FOR THOSE FAMILIES.

HOW DID YOU GET IT DOWN TO 500,000 IF THE ESTIMATE IS SO HIGH?

>> I DIDN'T GET IT DOWN.

BE VERY CLEAR.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CORRECT.

USE OF D.O.E.

'S PROTOCOLS SOME OF THE PEOPLE THERE, TANAKA.

KURT, KEITH HAYASHI, CAME TOGETHER, REALLY WORKED TOGETHER AND USED THEIR PROGRAM.

SO THEY DID MOST OF THAT.

>>Yunji: I ASKED BECAUSE IT'S SO RARE.

HAVING ALL OF THESE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT P RAIL AND STADIUM.

ALL OF THESE PROJECTS.

ESTIMATES NEVER GO THE OTHER WAY.

>> THIS POINT, ALWAYS THINK THIS IS A NEW START.

BUT IT'S NOT.

BEEN DOING THIS WORK FOR A LONG TIME.

THESE ARE REAL NUMBERS.

D.O.E.

WENT IN ON TEN CLASSROOMS ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO.

THESE ARE THE ACTUAL NUMBERS THAT THEY DID THIS, THEY HAD FROM THESE CLASSROOMS.

TAKING THAT SAME APPROACH.

PREQUALIFIED STATE CONTRACTORS.

CONTRACTING SYSTEM AND RUN IT THAT SAME WAY.

PUT A FEW FANCY SPINS ON IT.

SOME MONEY MAKE A PRESCHOOL EXPERIENCE.

AGAIN, WE'RE TRYING TO BUILD NOT DON'T WANT IT TO LOOK JUST LIKE A RENOVATE THE CLASSROOM.

SET THE BAR PRETTY HIGH.

TRY TO CREATE A PRESCHOOL EXPERIENCE THAT CAN MEET ALL OF THE LICENSURE BOXES.

SO THAT WE HAVE MULTIPLE WAYS TO PROVIDE FOR THIS SERVICE.

>>Yunji: ABOUT HOW MANY CHILDREN MIGHT BE MORE APPROPRIATE FOR ‑‑ CHAD, GIVEN IT TO YOU FIRST.

HOW MANY CHILDREN DO YOU THINK WOULD BE IN THESE NEAREST CLASSROOMS?

WHAT WILL THE HEAD COUNT BE?

HOW MANY KIDS CAN SERVE.

>> WE HAVE ABOUT 9,300 FOUR‑YEAR OLDS NEED THESE HIGH QUALITY EARLY LEARNING TUNES.

>> CAN YOU TAKE FOR THE HAWAII ISLAND ABOUT 20% OF THAT.

PROBABLY BE NEEDED FOR THAT PARTICULAR ISLAND.

BUT THE IDEA AGAIN, PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL OF OUR KEIKI.

ACROSS THE STATE.

>>Yunji: HOW BIG ARE THESE POPULATIONS GOING TO BE?

>> DESIGN THESE CLASSROOM.

DESIGN THE CLASSROOMS FOR POPULATION OF 20 PER CLASSROOM.

AROUND 950 SQUARE FEET.

MINIMUMAL INDOOR SPACE, EXCLUSIVE OF THAT BATHROOMS.

THAT IS FOR 20 STUDENTS.

YOU CAN JUST DO THE MATH.

KEEP ADDING HOW YOU GET TO 465.

TILL YOU GET TO THE NUMBER 465 CLASSROOMS TO REACH 9,000.

MAGIC NUMBER.

KEEP IT TO 20 STUDENTS PER CLASS.

>>Yunji: HOW MANY EDUCATORS DO YOU NEED?

>> NEED ONE LICENSE TEACHER PER CLASS.

THEN YOU NEED A TEACHER AID PER CLASS.

>> ONE OF THINGS, ONCE OUR KIDS GET OLD ENOUGH WHERE THEY CAN GO USED RESTROOM BY THEMSELVES, KIND OF FORGET IS THAT YOU CAN'T RELIEVE 3‑YEAR‑OLD ALONE IN THE CLASSROOM LIKE YOU COULD MAYBE A 12‑YEAR‑OLD.

TEACHER NEEDS USE RESTROOM, CAN'T LEAVE A ROOM OF 3 YEARS OLD.

HAVE TO HAVE A PAIR OF TEACHERS.

LEADS TO SOME OF THE STANDARDS QUANTUM STANDARDS THAT REPRESENTATIVE WOODSON HAS BEEN SUCH A BIG CHAMPION FOR.

>>?

YOU SAID YOU DON'T WANT TO BUILD CLASSROOM IT'S.

NOT BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BECAUSE THESE RESOURCES HAVE NOT BEEN AVAILABLE FULL CAPACITY, FOR SO LONG, DO YOU THINK THERE WILL BE A CULTURE SHIFT HERE IN HAWAII ABOUT THE BUY‑IN FOR PARENTS TO SEND THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL SO EARLY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

FACT THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IT.

BEING ELEVATED.

>> NOT JUST HERE.

BUT NATIONALLY.

RECENTLY PRESIDENT BIDEN TALKING ABOUT ALL THREE AND FOUR‑YEAR OLDS SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO PRESCHOOL.

TALKING ABOUT THESE ISSUES.

FINALLY, NOT JUST STATE LEVEL, NATIONAL LEVEL.

ELEVATING THE DISCUSSION OF THE NEED FOR PRE‑K FOR 3 AND 4‑YEAR‑OLDS.

NEED FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES.

NEED TO ENSURE THAT WORKING FAMILIES, CAN SEND THEIR KIDS TO QUALITY PRESCHOOL AND SO THAT THEY'RE SAFE WHILE THEY'RE AT WORK.

FOR US, FOR THE LEGISLATURE, TO INVEST $200 MILLION WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING A PLAN, A LOT OF TIMES, WHAT HAPPENS, EVEN STADIUM OR RAIL, YOU KNOW, GOT TO HAVE THE PLAN.

AND THEN GO TO THE LEGISLATURE.

AND YOU ASK FOR THE FUNDING BECAUSE LEGISLATURE BELIEVED IMPORTANCE OF COMMITTING A LARGE AMOUNT TO PRESCHOOL AND TO CONSTRUCTION OF PRESCHOOL, WITHOUT SEEING A PLAN, HERE'S $200 MILLION THAT WE'RE GOING TO COMMIT.

SO NOW, IT'S ON US TO ENSURE THAT WE SPEND THE $200 MILLION CORRECTLY.

WE TRY TO SQUEEZE AS MANY AS CLASSROOMS OUT OF THE 200.

BECAUSE BEFORE WE GO BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE, AND ASK FOR MORE MONEY, WE HAVE TO, AS FINANCE CHAIR, FORMER FINANCE CHAIR I WOULD BE ASKING THOSE SAME QUESTIONS.

HOW DID YOU SPEND YOUR MONEY?

HOW DID YOU MAXIMIZE?

DID TRYING TO MINIMIZE COST?

ALREADY SHOWN INSTEAD OF 200 MILLION CLASSROOM.

TRYING TO SQUEEZE IT DOWN TO 500.

GOING TO BE A COST ITEM.

AS WE ALL TALKED ABOUT, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT CONSTRUCTION.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PAY THE TEACHERS.

IN ADDITION TO THE $200 MILLION IN OUR BUDGET REQUEST, THIS YEAR, WE'RE COMING IN WITH $13 MILLION TO MAKE SURE AT THAT WE PAY FOR TEACHERS AND EQUIPMENT.

AND SO THAT IS GOING TO BE YEARLY COST.

AS WE BUILD MORE CLASSROOMS, IT WILL BE INCUMBENT ON THE LEGISLATURE AND THE ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNITY, TO GO BACK AND ASK FOR FUNDING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FUND ALL THE TEACHERS, ALL THE TEACHERS ASSISTANTS, EQUIPMENT, AND THE NECESSARY THINGS AT THE KIDS NEED.

>>Yunji: I WONDER WHAT YOU HEAR FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

DO YOU THINK THIS WILL NEED TO BEELNOT NECESSARILY SOLD MAKE THE PITCH, THAT 3 IS NOT TOO YOUNG TO GO TO SCHOOL.

>> I THINK EVERYONE IS PRETTY MUCH ON BOARD.

I MEAN, WHAT I HEAR IN MY COMMUNITY IS THAT SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH OPPORTUNITIES.

SO THERE IS A NEED FOR PRESCHOOL.

NEED FOR PREKINDERGARTEN.

SO I THINK IF WE BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME.

>> WHAT IS INTERESTING IS THAT WE THERE'S A BIG BENEFIT TO DOING THINGS THE WAY THAT ARE BEING DONE RIGHT THERE.

INCREMENTAL.

WE THINK THAT LIKE IT WILL JUST HAPPEN.

I JUST WANT TO THROW IN THERE THAT NEW YORK CITY OPENED UP UNIVERSAL PRE‑K FOR 3 AND 4‑YEAR‑OLDS.

JUST IN THE WINTER, 40,000 SEATS WENT EMPTY.

CUT BACK THE PROGRAM.

BUT I THINK ONE OF BENEFITS IS WHERE WE ARE DOING AT INCREMENTAL LEVEL, SO AS 11 CLASSROOMS HERE, 50 CLASSROOMS THERE, WE CAN ACTUALLY START TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS.

WHAT FAMILIES NEED, SO WHEN WE DO BUILD IT, WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE GOING TO COME.

WE KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE PLACE WHERE NEED IT AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT.

>> UNDERFACE BETWEEN THE COMMUNITIES AND LEGISLATURE.

WE ACTUALLY GO OUT TO THE COMMUNITIES TO SEE WHAT THE NEED IS.

SO THERE IS ALREADY THAT COMMUNICATION HAPPENING.

SO WE ARE GOING TO ESTABLISH AGAIN, EARLY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.

AND AREAS WHERE PEOPLE ACTUALLY WANT THEM.

SO THAT WHEN THEY DO, WHEN THEY'RE FINALLY ARE BUILT, BE THERE FOR THEM TO TAKE ADVANTAGE.

>>Yunji: WHAT WOULD THE APPLICATION PROCESS BE LIKE WITH SUCH LITTLE SPACE AVAILABLE, WOULD IT BE LIKE SUMMER FUN, PARENTS HAVE TO CAMP OUT OVERNIGHT SEE THAT EVERY SUMMER ON THE NEWS.

GET A SPOT FOR THEIR KID.

HOW IS THAT GOING TO WORK?

>> THIS IS JUST LIKE KINDERGARTEN.

ENROLLMENT.

AS SOON AS A PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM IS OPEN, THROUGH THE SCHOOL, AND THROUGH THE PRINCIPAL, THEY WILL DO OUTREACH.

I THINK KEONE AS A FORMER CAZ WENT AND WENT OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND TOLD PEOPLE ABOUT IT AND RECRUITED OFFICIALS TO SIGN UP FOR PRESCHOOL.

WILL BE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE OPENING AND BE THROUGH REGISTRATION.

>>Yunji: I WONDER, YOU SAID THAT YOU GOT THOSE 11 ALMOST READY TO GO.

WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR YOU WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH THE DOORS NOW?

GIVEN ALL THE WORK LED YOU TO THIS EXPERIENCE WORKING IN EDUCATION AND KNOWING THAT PERHAPS BY AUGUST, KIDS ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE IN THERE.

>> I MEAN, JUST FEELS REALLY REALLY GOOD.

BUT TO BE HONEST, WALK IN THERE, I JUST MISS IT.

I MISS PRINCIPAL.

BEING A TEACHER MUCH HONEST ANSWER.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

WORKING ON THIS FOR TEN YEARS.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SAID, TEN YEARS AGO, HAVING 20 CLASSROOMS EOEL.

SIX CAME TO MY COMPLEX AREA.

AWESOME.

IT TOOK SOME EDUCATING.

PARENTS.

DID NOT WANT TO RELEASE THEIR KIDS AT FIRST.

TOO YOUNG.

TOOK WORK TO SEE AS A COMMUNITY.

GOTTEN TO THIS POINT.

CONFIDENT.

WHEN THESE CLASSROOMS ARE DONE, FILLED, PRINCIPALS ARE CONFIDENT THEY CAN FILL THEM.

LOOKING FOR THE CLIENTELE ALREADY.

YOU LOOK IN THE CAR.

7‑YEAR‑OLDS DROPPED OFF.

SEE A 3‑YEAR‑OLD.

ASK HERE'S AN APPLICATION.

SO I MEAN, FEELS REALLY NICE WE'RE WE'LL GET 11.

HAVE A CADENCE TO GET TO 23, GET TO 40, GET TO 50.

DOUBLE THE PUBLIC PRE‑K OFFERING.

SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

>>Yunji: HOW WOULD YOU ENCOURAGE PUBLIC TO STAY INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE?

IT'S SO IMPORTANT.

>> ON OUR WEBSITE, WE HAVE THE READY KEIKI INFORMATION.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS REALLY GREAT ABOUT THREAD I KEIKI INITIATIVE, IS AMOUNT OF PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT.

IN ADDITION TO THE CASTLE FOUNDATION, AND HAWAII COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.

AND COMMIT TO KEIKI.

THEY ARE ALSO CHIPPING IN.

AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY ARE HELPING US BUILD, IS PUBLIC WEB PORTAL.

WHAT THE WEB PORTAL WILL SHOW IS DATA WHERE THE CLASSROOMS ARE.

WHERE ACTUALLY CURRENT ALL THE PRIVATE PRESCHOOLS ARE.

IT'S GOING TO SHOW IT'S TIME LINE OF CONSTRUCTION AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU KNOW, AS STATE GOVERNMENT WE HAVE NEVER SEEN.

WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO BUILD THIS WEB PORTAL AND ANNOUNCE THE ANNOUNCE OPENING OF IT.

>>Yunji: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO FOLKS TRACKING THIS TONIGHT?

>> PLEASE STAY ENGAGED.

AND IT'S TO BENEFIT TO NOT ONLY YOUR FAMILIES BUT TO THE BENEFIT OF LARGER COMMUNITY.

BECAUSE WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB OF PREPARING OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, THEN ALL OF US ARE BETTER OFF.

WE HAVE A STRONGER HAWAII.

>>Yunji: GOT ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT.

I WANT TO GIVE YOU LAST WORD.

MENTIONED AT THE TOP THAT YOU HAVE THREE KIDS.

ONE WE KNOW IS 11 MONTHS OLD.

DO YOU THINK THAT YOUR CHILD WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PROGRAM?

DO YOU HAVE THAT OPTIMISM?

>> I DO.

I THINK MUCH MORE IMPORTANT.

WHY I'VE BEEN THIS WORK LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

NOT FOR THEM TO GET TO SCHOOL DURING LIFETIME.

WHEN HE HAVE KIDS, THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH WHAT I HAD TO GO THROUGH AND WHAT MY MOM HAD TO GO THROUGH.

FINDING CARE, FINDING ONE PERSON THAT CAN TAKE CARE OF THEIR KID AT THAT MOMENT.

BEING ABLE TO AFFORD IT NOT HAVING TO CHOOSE BETWEEN PAYCHECK.

AND PRE‑K OR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

SO I THINK IMPORTANT THING IS LIKE REPRESENTATIVE SAID, WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE LONGTERM AND FOR FULL COMMUNITY BENEFIT.

SO WE'RE LOOKING FOR THIS TO BE LIFETIME INVESTMENT THAT WILL PAY DIVIDENDS GENERATION OVER GENERATION.

>>Yunji: WONDERFUL DISCUSSION TONIGHT.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

MAHALO TO YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SYLVIA LUKE AND KEOPU REELITZ, CHAD KEONE FARIAS AND REP. JUSTIN WOODSON.

NEXT WEEK, INSIGHTS WILL BE TAKING A BREAK, BUT WE’LL BE BACK THE FOLLOWING WEEK TO TALK ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WITH OAHU’S MEDIAN HOME PRICES HOVERING AROUND A MILLION DOLLARS.

IS IT POSSIBLE?

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I’M YUNJI DE NIES FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI’I.

ALOHA!