Aloha,
June was a month full of exciting announcements. While serving as acting governor, I signed two key bills into law — one expanding the state’s Preschool Open Doors (POD) tuition subsidy program to support more working families, and another increasing digital opportunity by establishing a state broadband office and launching a digital navigator program on every major island.
We also announced 50 new public pre-K classrooms opening statewide with our Ready Keiki partners, and I joined Hawaiian Telcom in announcing a monumental fiber infrastructure expansion for Hawaiʻi public housing communities.
Finally, I traveled to Washington, D.C., to continue discussions with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on strengthening Hawaiʻi’s agricultural sector and supporting local farmers.
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Sylvia Luke
Lieutenant Governor
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New Law Strengthens Hawaiʻi’s
Commitment to Digital Equity
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In today’s world, reliable internet isn’t a “nice to have” — it’s a “need to have.” From Hilo to Hanalei, everyone deserves the opportunity to use the internet as a tool to improve their lives.
As acting governor, I signed Act 201 (HB 934) into law. The legislation establishes the state broadband office within the Department of Accounting and General Services, giving it clear authority to coordinate broadband deployment across both public and private sectors. It also provides funding for digital navigators on every major island to ensure residents have the support, skills and knowledge they need to get online.
This new law not only lays the foundation for essential broadband services — it helps ensure that, from keiki to kūpuna, our residents have the tools and support they need to stay connected.
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Investing in Our Keiki,
Empowering Our Communities
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We launched Ready Keiki more than two years ago with an ambitious but necessary goal: to provide universal access to pre-K for all Hawaiʻi families by 2032. Over the next two years, 50 new public pre-K classrooms will open across the state — including the Executive Office on Early Learning’s (EOEL) 100th classroom, marking a major milestone in Hawaiʻi’s early learning journey.
This next phase prioritizes communities with high workforce needs and rural areas on Oʻahu. With these new classrooms, we’re making it easier for working families to access free, high-quality pre-K close to home or work — advancing both early education and economic opportunity for our hardworking local families.
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Reaching More Families with
Preschool Open Doors
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Our commitment to expanding early learning takes a multifaceted approach — and a key part of that is making pre-K and child care financial assistance more accessible to working families.
While serving as acting governor, I signed Act 203 (HB 692) into law, marking a significant expansion of the state’s Preschool Open Doors (POD) tuition subsidy program. The new law broadens eligibility to include 2-year-olds and removes burdensome accreditation requirements for child care providers — making it easier for families to access affordable care.
In addition to this legislation, I also signed updated administrative rules (HAR 17-779) that further expand access to POD. These changes are especially important for families who earn too much to qualify for existing assistance but still struggle to afford quality child care. With these updates, we’re one step closer to our goal of making early learning truly accessible for all Hawaiʻi families.
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Fiber Connectivity for Hawaiʻi Public Housing Communities Statewide
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I joined Hawaiian Telcom and the Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority (HPHA) for a major announcement in our ongoing effort to expand broadband access across the state. Thanks to Hawaiian Telcom’s generous $6 million donation, all public housing communities in Hawaiʻi will be equipped with fiber internet infrastructure by August 2025 — a significant step toward digital equity.
This means stronger, more reliable internet service for more than 45,000 Hawaiʻi residents across 81 HPHA properties.
Under our Connect Kākou initiative, Hawaiʻi continues to pursue innovative partnerships to expand high-speed internet access to every island. Hawaiian Telcom’s investment helps level the playing field — opening doors to quality online education, telehealth, and remote job opportunities for residents in public housing.
By ensuring equal access to strong, reliable internet, we’re helping more families thrive and stay rooted in Hawaiʻi.
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Growing a Stronger Future
for Hawaiʻi Agriculture
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Earlier this month, I traveled to Washington, D.C., to continue critical discussions with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) aimed at strengthening Hawaiʻi’s agricultural sector. This visit built on previous visits focused on addressing key challenges facing our local farmers, including airport inspection disruptions and regulatory barriers that limit the export of Hawaiʻi-grown products to the continental U.S. and beyond.
These ongoing conversations are essential to ensuring Hawaiʻi’s unique agricultural industry has the support and resources it needs to thrive.
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Capitol Visitors Spotlight
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Meeting with Philippine Consul General Arman Talbo.
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Welcoming the Taiwan Delegation during their visit to Hawaiʻi.
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Meeting with the Japanese Training Squadron.
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Congratulating Miss Hawaii and welcoming her to the State Capitol.
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Presenting a proclamation to Hawaiian Community Assets.
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Meeting with Mana Up Cohort 10.
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Meeting with Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Broadband interns.
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Welcoming Roosevelt High School Freshman Academy students.
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Speaking to the amazing retirees at the HGEA Retiree Biennial Convention.
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Attending the blessing of the Queen’s Medical Center’s new emergency department.
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Celebrating Older American Month and all of our amazing kūpuna.
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Commemorating King Kamehameha I at the King Kamehameha Lei Draping Ceremony.
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Celebrating the 127th Philippine Independence Day.
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Supporting Hawaiʻi’s hospitality industry at the 5th Annual Hawaiʻi Hotel & Restaurant Show.
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Attending the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii Installation Banquet & General Meeting.
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Attending the Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce Installation Conference.
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Attending the MEO Board of Directors Meeting and celebrating MEO’s 60th anniversary.
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Attending the United Japanese Society of Hawaii’s Installation and Recognition Banquet.
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Hours
Monday to Friday
7:45 AM - 4:30 PM
(Except state holidays)
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Location
Hawaiʻi State Capitol,
415 South Beretania Street, 5th Floor
Honolulu, HI 96813
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