Hawai‘i Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke reads to preschool students during a recent trip to Kīkei Elementary. Courtesy photo

Maui preschoolers welcomed a special visitor this week as Hawai’i Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke visited new classrooms at Haʻikū Elementary and Kīhei Elementary.

Luke, who leads the state’s Ready Keiki initiative to expand access to preschool statewide, was joined by state Sen. Lynn DeCoite and Rep. Terez Amato.

According to the lieutenant governor’s office, the new classroom at Haʻikū Elementary stands as the first public preschool on Maui’s north shore while Kīhei Elementary’s classroom is the first of its kind on the south shore.

“Every child in Hawaiʻi deserves a strong start — no matter their ZIP code,” Luke said. “We’re working to expand access to preschool in every community, especially in places like Maui where families have waited too long for these opportunities. By investing in early learning, we’re also investing in Hawaiʻi’s future and making it easier for local families to stay and thrive right here at home.”

Hawai’i Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke works with students while visiting Haʻikū Elementary. The visit helped highlight the new pre-kindergarten classroom at the school. Courtesy photo

These new classrooms are meant to support young learners and strengthen local communities by giving families a reason to stay and raise their children in Hawaiʻi.

“When we ensure that our keiki are ready for success from an early age, we’re not just preparing them for school — we’re preparing them for life,” said DeCoite, who joined Luke on the visit to Haʻikū Elementary. “Expanding preschool access in rural areas like Upcountry, Hāna and Moloka’i is essential for building an equitable future for all. A heartfelt mahalo to Lt. Gov. Luke for her unwavering support and dedication to the well-being of our keiki.”

The free, public pre-K classrooms are operated by the state’s Executive Office on Early Learning with a total of seven school sites on Maui.

“I am proud that we have this new preschool, a foundation for success in life and a necessity for working parents in South Maui,” Amato said. “Kīhei families are grateful to Lieutenant Governor Luke for her solid support of our keiki and our community.”