Hirono Announces Over $14.6 Million for Early Childhood Program on Oahu

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) announced that the Honolulu Community Action Program (HCAP) will receive over $14.6 million in federal funding from the Department of Health and Human Services to support the organization’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

“For over fifty years, the Head Start programs have helped to support families and set up keiki for a lifetime of success,” said Senator Hirono. “Head Start and Early Head Start provide safe, inclusive learning environments and help enable children and families with low incomes to access quality early childhood education. As we work ensure every child gets the early childhood education they deserve, I’m glad this federal funding will help HCAP offer Head Start services to even more families in Hawaii. I will continue working to expand access to high-quality, affordable early education and support federal investments in early childhood programs.”

“We are grateful for Senator Hirono and the rest of Hawai?i’s congressional delegation for their continued leadership and stalwart support in providing funding for HCAP to carry out its mission. Their support helps make it possible for our agency to offer important Head Start early learning and job development services, as well as much-needed wraparound support services, to O?ahu’s working families,” said Robert Piper, Executive Director of HCAP. “We also extend a warm mahalo nui to Senator Hirono for her long-time k?kua to our preschoolers, not only through her work in Washington, but through her hands-on experience and participation in our Head Start classrooms, including the art of reading to our keiki and inspiring them to live their best lives.”

Head Start programs deliver services to children and families in core areas of early learning, health, and family well-being. HCAP’s Head Start program was founded in 1965 and has since grown to become the largest early childhood program in Hawaii, serving over 1,500 children and their families on Oahu each year. HCAP offers the Head Start preschool program for children 3- to 5-years old and the Early Head Start program for infants, toddlers, and pregnant women.

As Hawaii Lieutenant Governor, Senator Hirono led the development of the Hawaii Pre-Plus Program, which expanded access to high-quality, affordable early childhood education programs for 3- and 4-year-olds from families at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Today, there are 14 Pre-Plus sites statewide, some of which are used by HCAP for their Head Start programs. In Congress, Senator Hirono has remained a strong and consistent advocate for expanding access to high-quality, affordable early childhood education programs. Last Congress, Senator Hirono joined Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Bob Casey (D-PA) in reintroducing the Child Care for Working Families Act, which would ensure working and middle class families have access to high-quality, affordable child care and universal preschool. In addition, she also led a letter with Senators Casey and Tina Smith (D-MN) calling for strong funding for Head Start, Early Head Start, and other early childhood programs in FY23 – which resulted in historic increases for these programs. Senator Hirono also helped pass the American Rescue Plan Act, which included $39 billion for child care programs in the United States—including nearly $130 million to support Hawaii child care programs.

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