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Senate committee advances bill funding 50 new public preschool classrooms
Summary
The Senate Committee on Education voted to pass HB 429, HD1, to fund teachers, teacher assistants and equipment for public preschool expansion; committee recorded five ayes. Testimony highlighted recent classroom openings and plans to add 50 more classrooms over two years.
The Senate Committee on Education voted to pass House Bill 429, HD1, which would appropriate funds for teachers, teacher assistants and classroom equipment to expand public preschool access.
Supporters told the committee the measure would sustain and expand recent preschool openings and pay for staffing and supplies. "In strong support... we successfully opened up over 50 preschool classrooms in the last 2 years. In the next 2 years, we are already planning ahead to build another 50 classrooms, and this bill will help fund the teachers and teacher assistance," said Lieutenant Governor Sylvia.
The bill would continue funding for classrooms created through the Ready Keiki initiative and Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) programs, which witnesses said are state‑funded rather than federally supported. "EOEL works in partnership with the Hawaii Department of Education to administer 92 public pre K classrooms in 74 campuses across the state," said Yuko Arikawa Cross, Director of the Executive Office on Early Learning. Cross told the committee the positions and funding in HB 429 would allow EOEL to add an additional 50 classrooms over the next two years and that the funding was included in the governor's biennium budget request.
School leaders and educators framed the expansion as both an educational and economic issue. "The high cost of childcare in Hawaii presents a significant challenge for working families," said Christopher Santina, principal of Hana High and Elementary School, who described running two preschools on his campus. The Democratic Party of Hawaii and the Hawaii State Teachers Association also testified in support, citing developmental and equity benefits.
Committee members asked about reliance on federal funds and the impact of federal education changes; witnesses said the Ready Keiki and EOEL classrooms are state funded and the bill seeks to avoid supplanting existing services. Witnesses also noted concerns about teacher supply and the plan to use unused school space and partnerships with the University of Hawaii, DOE and private providers to expand capacity without disrupting K–12 staffing.
Decision and procedural details: the committee announced a recommendation to pass HB 429 with amendments and to "defect the date to 07/01/2050" (as recorded in the hearing transcript). The roll call in the hearing record shows Chair Kidani, Vice Chair Kim, Senator Hashimoto, Senator Kanubo and Senator Decort recorded as voting "aye." The record lists the committee recommendation as adopted.
The bill text and amendment details were not read into the record during witness testimony; specific appropriation amounts and line‑item budget details were not specified in the testimony submitted to the committee.
Votes at a glance: HB 429, HD1 — Recommendation: pass with amendments; outcome recorded in committee as adopted (5 ayes).
