Childcare in Hawaii
Introduction
Childcare is not just a family issue. It is a critical part of Hawaii’s economic infrastructure. When families struggle to find care, it affects workforce participation, employee retention, and business productivity across industries.
That’s why the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii is prioritizing early learning and childcare as part of the 2030 Blueprint for Hawaii. Through its Economic Action policy pillar, the Chamber supports policies that strengthen the early learning workforce and expand access to quality childcare, helping families stay in the workforce while ensuring Hawaii’s economy remains strong, competitive, and resilient.
business champions for the future
What it is
How it originated
Why it exists
What it entails (level of commitment)
Consider creating a commitment form?
How to participate: Fill out the GOogle Form with link
Email nadia holt, and make Business Champions for the Future the subject line
hawaii childcare economic impact report
This report, produced in partnership between the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, provides a data-driven analysis of how childcare breakdowns affect Hawaii’s families, employers, and economy.
It examines current childcare and employment dynamics, parents’ preferences and decision-making, and the economic consequences when childcare is unavailable, unaffordable, or unreliable. Drawing on survey responses from 180 Hawaii parents of children under age six, the report estimates the direct cost of insufficient childcare to the state economy and highlights both immediate and long-term effects on workforce participation, education, and earnings.
Childcare is not just a family issue. Rather, it is core economic infrastructure. The findings underscore that reliable childcare supports today’s workforce and develops tomorrow’s, and that cross-sector collaboration is essential to expanding access, strengthening the childcare workforce, and improving economic outcomes statewide.
- Insufficient childcare costs Hawaii an estimated $1.18 billion annually in lost economic activity
- The state loses approximately $396 million in tax revenue each year due to childcare issues
- Hawaii employers incur an estimated $787 million annually from childcare-related absenteeism and turnover
- 100% of surveyed parents missed work or class at least once in the past three months because of childcare problems
- 53% of parents reported leaving a job in the past year as a direct result of childcare challenges
- 50% of families reported leaving a job, turning down a job, or significantly changing jobs in the past year due to childcare issues
care summit: when care works
In 2025, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii hosted the first-ever Care Summit: When Care Works, convening business leaders, policymakers, early care and education experts, and community partners to address childcare as a critical workforce and economic issue. Guided by the 2030 Blueprint for Hawaii, the summit positioned the business community as a key partner in advancing solutions that strengthen Hawaii’s childcare system and support working families.
Key highlights included the release of the Hawaii Child Care Economic Impact Report, policy updates from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and discussions on business-led strategies to support working families. Sessions also examined early care and education workforce recruitment, training, and retention; new data on statewide childcare supply, demand, and access gaps; innovative employer-supported and on-site childcare models; and collaborative next steps for policy and workforce solutions.
Stay tuned for updates on the second annual event!
Early Childhood and Education Advocacy
The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii supports early childhood education and childcare access as critical components of Hawaii’s workforce and economic future. As a member of the Early Childhood Action Strategy (ECAS) Steering Committee, the Chamber collaborates with cross-sector leaders to advance policies and systems that support Hawaii’s youngest keiki and their families. ECAS is a statewide network that brings together government, business, nonprofit, and community partners to strengthen early childhood systems from prenatal through age 8.
Paid Family Leave
Paid family and medical leave helps employees care for loved ones during major life events, like welcoming a new child or supporting a family member with a serious illness, while receiving partial wage replacement. While supporting these important needs, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii is concerned about the potential financial and operational impacts on businesses. We believe a carefully planned approach, guided by data and expert recommendations, is essential to ensure that any program works sustainably for both employees and employers.
Learn more here. (link to story nicole will write and run by nadia)
Early childhood apprenticeship grant
nadia getting us info!
ohana-friendly workplace practices
nadia will get us info!