Early childhood professionals strengthen families and communities.
Investing in the early childhood workforce will ensure high-quality early learning for every child, give families the support they need, and build a stronger foundation for Hawaiʻi’s future.
Early Childhood Apprenticeship Grants (HB1872) (SB2666)
Lead: Hawai‘i Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance (HECAA)
No keiki should go hungry at school.
Let's extend free school meals to charter school students under 300% of the federal poverty level,
closing a gap that currently leaves out many rural and Native Hawaiian communities.
Free School Meals for Charter Students (HB1561) (SB2677)
Lead: Hawai‘i Appleseed
Put ʻohana first and pass paid family and medical leave for all.
Everyone deserves the knowledge that they can care for their families, and have job security while doing so. What would qualify you for paid family leave and what would that look like in Hawaiʻi?
Join alongside Paid Leave Hawaiʻi Coalition's 'Ohana First Campaign to pass paid family and medical leave.
Paid Family and Medical Leave [PFML] (HB2360)
Lead: Paid Leave Hawaiʻi
All keiki deserve to grow up happy, healthy, and safe.
We all want our keiki to grow up healthy and free from preventable harm.
On average, 1,400 people die every year in Hawai‘i from a tobacco-related illness, making it the leading cause of preventable death in the state. 95% of tobacco smokers start before the age of 21. Allowing the counties to regulate the sale of tobacco again will empower them to pass innovative policies that reduce the burden of tobacco in their community. Some of the most successful policies, such as smoke free air and minimum age laws, originated at the county level.
Restore County Authority to Regulate Tobacco (HB1563) (SB2681)
Lead: Hawai‘i Public Health Institute
Keeping keiki safe on our roads and sidewalks is a shared responsibility.
As e-bikes and other micro-mobility devices become more common, families and communities are navigating new safety risks, especially for keiki.
E-Bike Regulations for Keiki (HB1564) (SB2680)
Lead: Hawai‘i Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Child care costs impact families.
With preschool costs exceeding $13,000 a year in Hawaiʻi, working families need meaningful support. Strengthening the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit would help families access real relief and better afford the care their children need to thrive.
Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Fix (HB2007) (SB2683)
Lead: HCAN Speaks!
Youth mental health matters.
Connecting young people to mental health resources through platforms they know and rely on can offer new ways that they access help, when they need it, and build stronger, healthier communities.
Mental Health Digital Platform (HB1562) (SB2679)
Lead: Representative Gregg Takayama
Support Pre-K Only Charters
Pre-K only charters are preschools that offer quality early education for 3-5 year olds at no charge during school hours. Staff meet the same rigorous requirements of the DOE, with the added benefit of being able to provide before and after-school care. However, they are underfunded and urgently need the state’s support.
Pre-K Charter School Bill (HB2399) (SB3189)
Lead: HCAN Speaks!
Hawaiʻi Children’s Policy Agenda
This eleventh annual Hawaiʻi Children’s Policy Agenda, published by Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network Speaks!, reflects the input of 60 Community Champion members. These organizations, coalitions, and individuals are committed to improving the lives of our keiki by promoting public policy changes that benefit children’s health, safety, education, and economic security.
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