Our next Civil Cafe will focus on the expansion of early education in Hawaiʻi. For years, working families have struggled to find affordable programs that support their children’s academic growth, social development and overall well-being. Now, state leaders and providers are making historic investments in early learning as they race to meet Hawaiʻi’s ambitious goal of providing all children with access to preschool by 2032.

More than 6,700 children in Hawaiʻi currently lack access to preschool. What will it take to improve access to early education in Hawaiʻi? Join us in the newsroom on Wednesday, August 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for a conversation with educators, advocates and other families working to improve access to early education in Hawaiʻi.

Our panelists include:

Sylvia Luke – Lieutenant Governor of Hawaiʻi

Ben Naki – Executive Vice President of Early Childhood Education Programs of Parents and Children Together and President of the Head Start Association of Hawaiʻi

Jeff Bock – Director of UH Mānoa Childrenʻs Center and President of the Hawai’i Association for the Education of Young Children.

This event will be moderated by Civil Beat education reporter Megan Tagami.

Watch the event recording here.