Statewide Preschool Sites
Kamehameha Schools’ Community-Based Early Childhood Education (CBECE) program educates over 1,500 3- and 4-year-olds at approximately 30 preschool sites statewide. These center-based preschools serve specific communities with regional 
boundaries for eligibility. Since its inception over 20 years ago, the Kamehameha preschools have provided more than 11,000 keiki or children with their first school experience.
The early childhood education program is based on the understanding that children learn best with the help of their parents, teachers and peers and through experience with their physical and social environment. Because skill in oral and written communication is necessary for success in school, language and literacy is emphasized. The curriculum also addresses each child’s social, emotional, physical, intellectual, cultural and spiritual needs.
Positive relationships are fostered through natural conversations, social dramatic play, planned activities, celebrations and scheduled events where everyone participates together as a group. In addition, learning about and integrating cultural information and practicing Hawaiian values such as Aloha, Mālama, Pono, Kuleana, Laulima and Lokomaika‘i, are encouraged as part of everyday preschool life.
Performance goals are developed with the understanding that individual children achieve at different levels. Teachers collect samples of each child’s work throughout the year to show growth in conceptual understanding and skills development.
Kamehameha preschools operate for 10 months a year (August-May). Preschool instruction is 6 hours a day on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and ends at noon on Wednesdays. The extended day program is offered at certain preschool sites and ends between 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. For more information on our preschools, please call 808-534-8305 or, from the neighbor islands, 1-800-842-4682, press 9, then ext. 48305.
The preschools are operated and funded entirely by Kamehameha Schools. Preference is given to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. Residency in the State of Hawai‘i for the child and his/her parents or legal guardians is a requirement for enrollment in a Kamehameha preschool. Tuition is charged and need-based financial aid is available.
For more information about applying to Kamehameha preschools, applicants on O‘ahu may call Admissions at 842-8800; neighbor island applicants may call 1-800-842-4682 (IMUA) ext. 8800, or visit www.ksbe.edu/admissions.
Hi‘ilani
Hi‘ilani is an early childhood family education program with a culturally based component that services children prenatal to 3-years-old and their families. The first years (prenatal to age 3) of a child’s life are a critical time during which they begin the development of temperament, emotional stability, physical health and development, cognitive skills, problem-solving skills and social competence.
Hi‘ilani facilitates school readiness and well-being of young children through small group sessions that provide opportunities for quality parent/caregiver-child interactions. Parents/caregivers can also meet individually with program staff for information and resources to enhance their efforts to nurture and stimulate their child’s development. Currently, there are four sites and should you want more information, please call:
- Waimānalo (808) 426-1459
- Nānākuli (808) 534-8261
- East Hawai‘i (808) 969-3883
- Kaua‘i (808) 245-3897
Pauahi Keiki Scholars (PKS) Preschool Scholarship Program
Every year, more children apply to Kamehameha preschools than can be accommodated. As a result, in 2002, Kamehameha initiated Pauahi Keiki Scholars (PKS), a program to increase the number of Hawaiian preschool-age children enrolled in eligible preschools in the community through the provision of need-based scholarships. Visit www.ksbe.edu/finaid/ or call Financial Aid and Scholarship Services at (808) 534-8080; or toll-free from neighbor islands at 1-800-842-4682; press 9, then ext. 48080.
Community Learning Center at Nānākuli
The Community Learning Center offers onsite educational and enrichment programs, provides information on Kamehameha educational programs, and assists families in applying to Kamehameha programs and services such as admissions, financial aid, scholarships and the Ho‘oulu Data Center. Also, the Center collaborates with other external agencies that provide services to the Hawaiian community. For more information, call (808) 668-1517.
