Our Impact

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ― Margaret Mead

HawaiiKidsCAN’s journey proves that community movements – especially when fueled by kids, parents and diverse partners – can have a major impact. Launched by a former Hawaii public school special education teacher, HawaiiKidsCAN has grown to be a network that is driving change in Hawaii, including passing new laws to help kids achieve a brighter future, training youth to speak up for the educational opportunities they want and organizing families around innovative new models of learning. Read more about our journey below:

2017 > 2018 > 2019 > 2020 > 2021 > 2022 > 2023 > 2024 > 2025 > 2026

Mahalo to our partners and supporters

2017

  • HawaiiKidsCAN launches, marked by the Educational Equity Symposium, with 75 teachers, education leaders and community members showing up to participate on a beautiful Saturday morning.
  • As the framework for our policy work, we released The Future of Education in Hawaii, a roadmap to equitable schooling that begins with a clear, candid assessment of where Hawaii stands today against key markers of excellence.
  • We published the State of Education in Hawaii 2017 report, as well as island reports for Oahu, Hawaii Island, Maui and Kauai.

2018

  • Launched the We Are Voices of Excellence (WAVE) youth advocacy program, first as a pilot cohort at Farrington High School and then as an opportunity across Oahu. We launched a cohort of the program for educators with Teach For America Hawaii.
  • Passed a bill that enables all high schools to offer computer science professional development to teachers (Act 51).
  • WAVE students helped us successfully advocate for the Hawaii Board of Education to approve Computer Science Teachers Association K-12 standards for public school computer science.
  • Produced the State of Computer Science Education in Hawaii 2018 report, which fueled our advocacy work.
  • Partnered with Iolani School and Purple Maia to launch the first Women & Girls Processing Power event in support of girls in STEM.
  • Collaborated with organizations including Teach For America Hawaii and Education Incubator to run a series of alternative spring and fall break advocacy bootcamps.
  • Hosted a youth-led candidate forum in partnership with KFVE-TV and Hawaiian Electric, which featured 11 candidates for US Congress and the governor’s seat—including sitting Gov. David Ige.
  • In recognition of our success this legislative session, we honored Representative Justin Woodson and Senator Donovan Dela Cruz as legislative champions for introducing the computer science bill.
  • Joined task forces at the Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE) to advocate for computer science credits being counted toward graduation requirements and the expansion of the Seal of Biliteracy.

2019

  • Expanded WAVE to a full statewide cohort with multiple neighbor islands represented.
  • Rebranded our girls STEM event with Purple Maia and Iolani School to Wahine Processing Power and moved it to Grove Farm on Kauai.
  • Launched Spark & Inspire with Teach For America Hawaii to uplift teacher “edupreneurs.”
  • Conducted 2019 Public Education Survey and focus groups to highlight community opinions on hot topics in education.
  • Convened a series of focus groups with diverse community members to contribute feedback to HIDOE’s 2030 Promise Plan.
  • Partnered with Teach For America Hawaii and Hawaii State Teacher Fellows (formerly Hope Street Group) to launch education networking series bringing stakeholders together to crowdsource solutions to challenges facing schools and students.

    2020

    • Advocated for schools to adopt a trauma-informed approach to student learning and support, and released the Healing Trauma in Hawaii report.
      Launched the Hawaii Education Innovation Showcase (highlight video here) to spotlight the many ways “community is the classroom.”
    • Advocated for clear and consistent benchmarks to be shared with families and the public to assess student readiness
    • Advocated for HIDOE to collect and publish detailed information on student attendance and access to learning dating back to when schools initially closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and running until schools officially reopen.
    • Launched WiFi on Wheels program to ensure students have access to internet connectivity, particularly in rural and remote communities.

    2021

    • Passed legislation to require all elementary and middle schools to teach computer science.
    • Passed legislation to ensure Hawaii collects student attainment data for individual industry-recognized credentials.
    • Passed legislation to codify universal access to high-speed internet and educational technology.
    • Ensured participation in learning through safe alternatives by launching pilot programs such as Ohana Pods Lanai and a spring break mentorship connector between retired teachers and struggling students.
    • Successfully advocated at the Hawaii State Board of Education (BOE) in support of free summer school for all kids and against attempts to shorten the school year.
    • Served as a trusted voice in local media on pressing topics relating to what parents and kids need from their schools, with more than 40 different local media appearances including as a panelist on an episode of PBS Hawaii’s INSIGHTS talk show.
    • Kept innovating with Teach For America Hawaii to launch a dynamic hybrid Spark & Inspire, including our first student presenter.

    2022

    • Passed legislation to boost high-quality career readiness programs.
    • Passed legislation to create a new state Office of Wellness and Resilience, which will receive nearly $1 million to help coordinate the complex response to trauma for children and adults. SB2482 has been a top priority of the Resilient Communities, Schools, and Families project.
    • Celebrated our fifth birthday as an organization!
    • Helped community members more effectively engage to shape the Hawaii DOE and BOE 2023-2029 Strategic Plan.

    2023

    • Passed legislation to increase equity in computer science education and spoke at the bill signing ceremony.
    • Hosted a delegation of youth and educators from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Co-operation Ireland is a respected organization that has helped to cultivate peace and resilience through years of tension and division. While in Hawaii, the delegation engaged in learning and sharing with local youth, community leaders, and schools.
    • Launched Hawaii Tutoring to help local families access free, high-quality academic support.
    • Launched the Hawaii Kids CAN Afford College campaign and affordcollegehi.com to build a community conversation around FAFSA completion and the financial aid resources being left on the table by Hawaii students.
    • Hired a team of parent fellows on Lanai to help build the Lanai Ohana Connection.

    2024

    • Made a major focus on literacy, including bringing Kareem Weaver to Hawaii. Kareem presented to the Hawaii State Board of Education (BOE) on best practices to close literacy achievement gaps through lessons learned around the country. Kareem also made appearances on Hawaii Public Radio and Hawaii News Now to further get out that message. Kareem also had small group conversations with organizations such as Chaminade University, Teach For America Hawaii, and the Hawaii Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (HIDA). His week was capped off by participating in a screening at the Honolulu Museum of Art of The Right to Read, a documentary film produced and directed by Jenny Mackenzie and executive produced by Reading Rainbow’s LeVar Burton. Kareem’s engagement contributed to new literacy reforms at the Hawaii DOE.
    • Built on our international youth advocacy. Seven youth advocates from Hawaiʻi visited the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland last November at the invitation of our international partners, Co-Operation Ireland. In just one week, participants engaged with local policymakers, community organizers and peer advocates who illustrated the ongoing peace-building work taking place. Students reflected on the deep historical and cultural connections between Hawai’i and Ireland, including shared challenges such as language suppression, the cost of living and the need for civic engagement and youth advocacy.
    • Evolved Hawaii Tutoring into Hawaii Tutoring+ and grew our impact.
      • Directed more than 100 parents and family members to high-quality digital literacy training;
      • Provided 128 students with access to high-quality tutoring, with 57% of those who responded identifying as Native Hawaiian;
      • Expanded tutoring services to families in rural communities and worked with partners to assist students with access to digital devices and digital equity needs.

    2025

    • Passed Act 154 which establishes a working group tasked with exploring the status of and pathways forward for improved data sharing and governance among state agencies for the purpose of improving workforce development initiatives, analyses, and outcomes.
    • Beginning with a core group of delegates from our program to the island of Ireland last year, a group of 25 young people worried about the rising cost of living, college, and barriers to staying in Hawaiʻi gathered earlier this year to share news, talk story, and take action. One of the organizers, Mele Kānealiʻi also joined us at the Rediscovering Hawaiʻi’s Soul convening. Here’s what she had to say on Hawaii News Now about youth advocacy and building a sustainable future in Hawaiʻi.
    • Through our Hawaii Kids CAN Afford College campaign, we engaged with over  2,500 people at 30+ community events across the islands to talk about the importance of completing the FAFSA and college affordability.
    • Expanded Hawaii Tutoring+.
      • Our statewide summer program served 144 students across the islands over 381 sessions.
      • Our spring 2025 tutoring sessions were hosted through Nānākuli Public Library in Waiʻanae and the Hale Pono Boys and Girls Club in Ewa Beach.
      • Distributed over $40,000 in financial aid for low-income families to access learning opportunities

    2026

    • We passed HB1891, which establishes the right for struggling readers to access evidence-based supports, requires schools to administer dyslexia-sensitive universal screeners in grades K-3, and for the first time in Hawaii statute, defines dyslexia.
    • We passed SB2338, which restructures the Hawaii Promise Scholarship to ensure students who are awarded a promise scholarship do not have money rescinded if they secure other funding or grants, ensuring that students who successfully find funding to make college affordable are not punished for their success.
    • Building on nearly four years of work related to FAFSA, college affordability, and financial literacy, we were excited to pass a concurrent resolution that ensures the State Board of Education takes up the issue of adding a rigorous financial literacy graduation requirement.
    • The Hawaii Kids CAN Afford College campaign contributed to efforts that saw Hawaii rank 8th in the country in overall FAFSA completion.

    Mahalo to the many partners and supporters who have made this work possible:

    Aaron Heredia
    Abraham & Annie Lau Children’s Fund
    Ac’Lynne Uesugi
    Agapito Heredia
    Aisha Heredia
    AJ Halagao
    Alex Lawrence
    Alex Sun
    Alex Teece
    Alexa Wright
    Alexander & Baldwin, LLC
    Aloha United Way
    Alyssa Carr
    Amanda Aragon
    Amefil Agbayani
    Amy Moy
    Amy Sun-Miyashiro
    Andi Shaw
    Andrew Sun-Acosta
    Anita Banuelos
    Ann Bernson
    Ann Borowiec
    Ann Keala Peters
    Annalise Miyashiro
    Anne Weber
    Anniebel Heredia
    Anonymous
    Antonio & Elisea Tan
    Associated Chinese University Women, Inc.
    AT&T
    Atherton Family Foundation
    Aulii Tenn
    Avelino Halagao
    Bell Charitable Foundation via Hawaiian Telcom
    Ben Trevino
    Benjamin Strand
    Bessie Joy Limpe
    Beth Barefoot
    Bobby Morse
    Brandon Hayashi
    Brett Carey
    Brianne Smith
    Brigitte Schell
    Brionny Dobbing
    Burt Lum
    Calvert Chipchase
    Cambiar Education
    Cami Kloster
    Camille Villa
    Candice Alesna
    Cari Isham
    Carl Takamura
    Ceeds of Peace
    Celeste Y. Endo
    Chamberlin Family Foundation
    Cheryl Scarton
    Christina Cawdery
    Christina Ross
    Christina Torres
    City and County of Honolulu Grant in Aid
    Colette Masunaga
    Computational Thinkers
    Cynthia Williams
    Dan Kouchi
    Dane Carlson
    Danicole Ramos
    Daniel Goya
    Daphne Okunaga
    David Bressler
    David Chee
    David Namm
    David Sun-Miyashiro
    Deborah Bond-Upson
    Derrick Frazier
    Diane Preza
    Dominica Chavez
    Dorien McClellan
    Douglas Williams
    Drew Stanecki
    Edward Hudson
    Edward Stanley
    Elisa Yadao
    Elizabeth Gaccione
    Emily Silver
    Erica Nakanishi-Stanis
    Erika Galarneau
    Erika Okumura
    Erin Johnson
    Ernie Williams
    Eve Neiger
    Feather DiMarco
    Foodland Super Market
    Foundation of the Rotary Club of Honolulu Hawaii
    Friends of Takashi Ohno
    Gary and Liz Kerwood
    Gary Michael Namm Fund
    Gregory Johnson
    Hannah Loera
    Harold K.L. Castle Foundation
    Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations
    Hawaii Community Foundation
    Hawaiian Electric Industries
    Hawaii Hotel Industry Foundation
    Hawaii Resilience Fund
    Hawaii People’s Fund
    Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities
    Hawaiian Telcom
    Haydee Sun-Acosta
    Hayley Arlin
    HEI Charitable Foundation
    Helen Hardnik
    Henry A. Zuberano Early Education Fund of the Hawai’i Community Foundation
    HMSA Foundation
    IBM
    Jaime Hopkins
    James and Abigail Campbell Foundation
    James and Carilyn Shon
    James Grant
    Jared Nakamoto
    Jason D’Olier
    Jason Louie
    Jason Shon
    Jean Igarashi and Rae Lee
    Jeff and Loan Arce Family Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation
    Jennifer Kurian
    Jenny Wang
    Jessica Kaneakua
    Jill Baldemor
    Jo McDermott
    John Reyes
    John Stanis
    Jonathan Mather
    Jordan Long
    Joseph Manfre
    Josh Heimowitz
    Josh Reppun
    Judy Dettmer
    Julia Namm
    Julia Standeford
    K.B. Kim
    Kai Austin
    Kaihonua LLC
    Kaitlin Arita-Chang
    Kamehameha Schools
    Karen McAvoy
    Karen Tanaka
    Kat Duran-Higa
    Kathleen Sabol
    Kathryn Wild
    Kawika Chun
    Kelsey Amos
    Ken Nakanishi
    Kendra Lee
    Kenna Little
    Kenta Ferrin
    Keun Pak
    Kevin Argueta
    Kim Roman
    Kimia Sadeghi
    Kimo Kippen
    Kirsten Naomi Chapman
    Koanani Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation
    Kristen Brummel
    Krystle Richman
    Kurt Matsumoto
    Lānaʻi Community Benefit Fund of the Hawai’i Community Foundation
    Lauren Nguyen
    Layla Kilolu
    Leslie Toy
    Levani Lipton
    Lia Rozmiarek
    Liane Truong
    Licia Hall
    Lindsey Bailey
    Liz and Bob Ratzi
    Liz Cohen
    Lonnie Resser
    Lucas Dembart
    Lyle Fujikawa
    MacNaughton Foundation
    Marc Porter Magee
    Mariah Iris Ramo
    Marissa Baptista
    Mary Therese Hattori
    Mary Wenstrom
    Matt Prillaman
    Matthew Shriner
    McKenna Dale
    Megan Brown
    Megan Kawatachi
    Meilan Akaka Manfre
    Mel Galarneau
    Mélanie Snyder
    Melissa Farmer
    Meredith Dixon
    Micah Chee
    Microsoft
    Mina Hosseini
    Mio Chee
    Miriam Nikkila
    Mychal Kikuchi
    Nā ‘Oiwi Kāne Fund of the Hawai’i Community Foundation
    Nakupuna Foundation
    Nancie Caraway
    Nancy Barry
    Napela Shim
    National School Choice Awareness Foundation
    Native Hawaiian Community Development Corporation
    Nirja Parekh
    Nora and Tim Shriner
    Pacific and Asian Affairs Council
    Pacific Resource Partnership
    Paige Heckathorn Choy
    Patricia Morgan
    Peifen Hu
    Peter C.P. Char Memorial Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation
    Phil McAvoy
    Piikea Kalakau-Baarde
    PJ Tan
    Poepoe Foundation
    Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation
    Pulama Lanai
    Rae Shih
    Rajeev Sharma
    Rev. Akaka Ministries Foundation
    Rhonda Black
    Rian-Angelica Barreras
    Ritchie and Sunny Mudd
    Robert Fontenot
    Robert Emens Black Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation
    Robert Morse
    Robyn Fukumoto
    Ron Matayoshi
    Ronelle Melekai
    Rowena Tigno
    Roya Dennis
    Rupa Venkatesh
    Ryan Mandado
    Samantha Kobbah
    Sandy Kobayashi
    Sandy Ma
    Sarah Bishop-Root
    Sarah Lee
    Sarah Milianta-Laffin
    Sarah Morihara
    Scot Robertson
    Scott Applebaum
    Sherry Menor-McNamara
    Sherzod Gulamov
    Shih Yung Sun
    Sidney Stern Memorial Trust
    Silicon Valley Charitable Foundation
    Silvia Tedeschi
    Spectrum
    Startup Capital Ventures
    Stephanie Shipton
    Stephen Terstegge
    Steven Hernández
    Steven Quinn
    Steven Sun
    Strada Education Foundation
    Stronger Together Hawaii Scholarship Fund of the Hawai’i Community Foundation
    Stupski Foundation
    Subira Gordon
    Susan Rocco
    Tanya Aquino
    Tea Giacomelli
    Teach for America Hawaii
    Teach for America Reinvention Lab
    Terrence George
    The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
    Rev. Prof. Gregory Johnson
    Theresa Bailey
    Thomas and Janet Miyasato
    Tiffany Huynh
    Traven Watase
    Tyler Fujita
    Vallay Varro
    VELA Education Fund
    Victoria Trevino
    Wallane and Terry Lau
    Ward Village Foundation
    Wayne and Carol Miyashiro
    Yin Ching Sun
    Youth Matters Endowment Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation
    Yvonne W Lau
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