Native Hawaiian Education funding extended, 60+ preschools remain open

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – More than 60 Family-Child Interaction Learning preschool sites across Hawaii will continue operating during the 2026–27 school year.

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The programs will remain open after a one-year extension of Native Hawaiian Education Program funding. It will allow INPEACE, Keiki O Ka Aina and Partners in Development Foundation to keep serving families across Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai and Hawaii Island.

The three organizations are part of Eleu, a collective of early childhood education agencies advocating together. The funding extension follows months of uncertainty after the federal grant program faced possible cuts earlier this year.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz secured $46 million in funding for NHEP through fiscal year 2027.

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“We are very grateful for Senator Schatz and Hawaii’s entire congressional delegation for their continued advocacy,” said Sanoe Marfil, CEO of INPEACE. “It takes a village to raise keiki, and to have the support of our leaders at the local, state, and federal levels shows how much we are willing to invest in Hawaiʻi’s future.”

Families can expect more than 60 early childhood program sites to continue. Programs include Keiki Steps with INPEACE, Parent Participation Programs with Keiki O Ka Aina, and Tutu and Me Traveling Preschool and Ka Paʻalana with Partners in Development Foundation.

“These FCIL preschools are integral to the wellbeing of our keiki, ʻohana, and communities,” said Dr. Shawn Kanaʻiaupuni, president and CEO of Partners in Development Foundation. “We have seen families and community members come together… to protect the programs they care about.”

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