LAHAINA, Hawaii — With support from Maui County, West Maui Early Childhood Collective’s three programs dedicated to child care are open for registration with subsidy assistance available.

What You Need To Know

  • The Lahaina wildfire destroyed 255 licensed child care seats for children ages 6 weeks to preschool and compromised 20 seats for 3- to 4-year-olds

  • Maui Family Support Services Early Head Start is for keiki ages 6 weeks to 3 years old and is free for eligible families with limited space

  • Kamaaina Kids is for keiki 6 weeks to 3 years old and is tuition-based and space is available

  • Aha Punana Leo O Lahaina is accepting applications for its Kula Kamalii Child Care Center for keiki ages 3 to 4 years old and is tuition-based

Classrooms opened in late July at Princess Nahienaena Elementary School as part of the effort to restore and expand childcare and early childhood services in Lahaina following the August 2023 wildfire.

The three programs are Maui Family Support Services Early Head Start, Kamaaina Kids and Aha Punana Leo O Lahaina.

“Child care has been a priority for our residents, even more so after the fire,” said Mayor Richard Bissen in a news release. “Our goal is to make sure our keiki have access to comprehensive care and education, so they can build on a strong foundation to achieve future success in life.”

The Lahaina wildfire destroyed 255 licensed child care seats for children ages 6 weeks to preschool and compromised 20 seats for 3- to 4-year-olds.

Re-establishing child care was the top priority after the wildfire. The West Maui Early Childhood Collective was established in late October 2023.

“Early on, we recognized that child care was essential for the recovery of Lahaina,” said Maui County Early Childhood Resource Coordinator Kaʻina Bonacorsi. “The entire workforce is dependent on reliable child care. Teachers being able to teach — they need to have the peace of mind knowing they have a place to send their own little ones.”

Eighty-three out of 103 seats are available at the Princess Nahienaena campus. It includes the Maui Economic Opportunity Head Start program that reopened in April 2024 and the Executive Office of Early Learning Preschool per the release.

“There was a shortage of early child care services even before the fire. While our goal is to restore what was taken away, we’re not stopping there,” added Bonacorsi.

Maui Family Support Services Early Head Start is for keiki ages 6 weeks to 3 years old. It is free for eligible families with limited space. Enrollment is still open. Visit their website for more information or call 808-242-0900.

Kamaaina Kids is for keiki 6 weeks to 3 years old and is tuition-based. Space is available. Email lahaina@kamaainakids.com or call 808-425-1474.

Aha Punana Leo O Lahaina is accepting applications for its Kula Kamalii Child Care Center for keiki ages 3 to 4 years old. The program is based on tuition. Visit their website for more information.

MFSS is offering a subsidy for the Kamaaina Kids program at Princess Nahienaena. Based on information provided in the application, eligible families will have a reduced co-payment. Those who meet qualifying criteria will receive priority. Families can email countysubsidy@mfss.org to request a link that will provide more information on eligibility.

There are also employment opportunities at each program. Contact each provider for information.

Editor's Note: Prince Nahienaena Elementary School was ccorrected to Princess Nahienaena Elementary School on Dec. 19,. 2024.