A joint hearing of the Senate Committees on Higher Education, Education and Labor advanced Senate Bill 426, which would establish an early‑learning apprenticeship grant program intended to expand paid, hands‑on training and wraparound supports for early childhood educators.

The measure drew unified support from city, state and university representatives. "My name is Jordana Furr. I'm with the City and County of Honolulu on behalf of Director Kreukky with Department of Community Services. We stand on our written testimony in strong support of this measure," said Jordana Furr of the City and County of Honolulu. Yuko Ariko Acro, director of the Executive Office on Early Learning, told the committees the program "removes financial barriers by providing paid hands on training while ensuring high quality professional development," and said EOEL "defer[s] to the University of Hawaii on implementation and funding."

The University of Hawaii also testified in support; Nathan Murata, dean of the College of Education at Manoa, said the campus stands behind the bill. Early childhood advocates including Vivian Eto of Early Childhood Action Strategy and Chevelle Davis of Hawai'i Children's Action Network also spoke in favor, and a Maui classroom teacher on Zoom said the program would help keep educators in the field by offering paid training and mentorship.

Committee members pressed witnesses on cost and sustainability. A university witness responded that estimated costs are roughly $14,500,000 for fiscal 2025–26 and about $15,000,000 for 2026–27, and that the program would likely require continued appropriations or an ongoing funding source beyond the initial award. "I think we may have to look at future funding as well," said the university representative when asked if the program would require a continuing appropriation.

Deputy Attorney General Candace Park told the committees the AG's office recommends identifying the bill as a law of "statewide concern," a legal designation the committees agreed to note in amendments and the committee report.

After discussion, the joint committees recommended an SD1 with technical non‑substantive amendments, noted the AG comment on statewide concern, and indicated estimated costs would be recorded in the committee report. The committees' recommendation passed by voice votes with the named chairs and voting senators recorded as voting aye. The measure will move forward with the committee's recommended amendments.

The committees allowed one‑minute public testimony slots and another roughly 28 written supporters were noted on the record.