Early education industry vital to state

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

The state's early education industry generates nearly $241 million in revenue and provides more than 9,000 jobs, making it one of Hawai'i's major industries comparable to motion picture production and building and construction, according to a recent report by a child advocacy group.

The report on the economic impact of the early care and preschool industry was released by Good Beginnings Alliance, a statewide, nonprofit organization that works with Hawai'i legislators to address the needs of young children. The study was done in partnership with 3Point Consulting and the National Economic Development and Law Center.

In addition to the revenue, the report stated, the early childhood industry enables parents to work and earn an estimated $5.1 billion. The industry also saves the government money by "reducing the need for remedial education, public welfare and criminal justice participation in adulthood," said Liz Chun, Good Beginnings Alliance executive director.

"It provides the foundation for Hawai'i's economy — not only do we enable parents to be productive workers, we increase the skill level of the future work force," Chun said.

The report calls for the state to include early childhood education in ongoing economic development plans and asks businesses to support "family friendly policies." More partnerships also need to be developed to increase the number of children who can be enrolled in preschool programs, the report said.

The release of the report comes at a time when the Legislature is considering several measures to increase funding and programs at the state's preschools.

One measure would provide $6 million to help pay the preschool tuition for low-income children under the so-called "open-doors program." Rep. Dennis Arakaki, D-30th (Moanalua, Kalihi Valley, 'Alewa), said there are about 16,000 3- and 4-year-olds who fall in this category.

A second measure would create an early education task force, and one of its missions would be to develop a pilot program that would lead to universal access to early childhood education, said Arakaki, a longtime advocate of educational programs for children.

"We can tell from the performance of our children at many of our schools that our kids are not up to par in terms of some of the national standards," he said. "One of the ways to cure that, other than through remediation, is through early childhood education."

"Every 3- and 4-year-old should have access, especially if they don't have the resources to attend," Arakaki said. "All the studies have shown that this is when the children learn the most and the fastest. It's the most formative time."

Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.