The state appropriated $200 million to build more preschool classrooms across the islands and nearly half of it has been spent.
Ready Keiki, an initiative of Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke to bring universal preschool access for the state’s 3- and 4-year-old children, rolled out a new website and data tracker on Wednesday.
About $90.5 million, or 45.3% of the Act 257 funds, have been committed to building out new or renovated preschool classrooms. That leaves about $109.5 million remaining to spend.
The initial plan was to begin construction in 2024, but that timeline was moved up to allow the first 11 classrooms to open for the next school year in August. Seven will be on Oʻahu, two on Maui, and one each on Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi.
During this first round of rooms, many are set to be renovated, like one at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in…
