Preschool Open Doors priority application period now open
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The State is helping more families pay for preschool for this upcoming school year. If you haven't been able to qualify due to income restrictions, the state urges you to try again.
Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news
Preschool Open Doors is a state-funded program through the Department of Human Services (DHS) that provides monthly preschool tuition subsidies.
The program's priority application period for the upcoming 2025 to 2026 school year, opened on Feb. 18 and will run through April 30.
Good News: Free Early Childhood Programs with Open Enrollment Now
'I can cry when I think about certain families, how much it's helped,' stated Cheryl Cudiamat, Keiki Care Center of Hawaii Director. 'Families I know that are on it, they are really in need of it. Their children would not be in preschool without it.'
The cost of tuition can be as high as rent, according to Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke who is partnered with DHS. Now, there is about $50 million available to help families with finances.
Preschool Open Doors also expanded its eligibility requirements to include families with higher incomes and keiki three years and older. Priority will be given to underserved or at-risk children.
'We've been seeing a lot more families qualify this time around than ever in the past due to the increase of income eligibility limits,' said Shantel Griffen, Preschool Open Doors Program Manager.
Family Size
Monthly Gross Income Eligibility Limit
Annual Gross Income Eligibility Limit
2
$ 6,080
$ 72,960
3
$ 7,663
$ 91,956
4
$ 9,245
$ 110,940
5
$ 10,828
$ 129,936
6
$ 12,410
$ 148,920
7
$ 13,993
$ 167,916
8
$ 15,575
$ 186,900
Currently, DHS is serving 2,300 students through its program and anticipates helping even more.
'In 2024, about 5,000 families applied and out of that, over 2500 families were parents and guardians of three-year-olds,' stated Lt. Gov Luke.
There are over 350 DHS-certified childcare centers available throughout the state. Families can receive between $1,200 and $1,500. The amount they receive will be based on monthly gross income, co-payment, and selected preschool.
Check out more news from around Hawaii
'It pays for 100% of the tuition. We don't charge comprehensive fees, but for the most part, it covers everything,' said Cudiamat.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Journals
an hour ago
- Business Journals
Presidio Trust leaders on why the Presidio is the hot SF location for commercial real estate
San Francisco's commercial real estate market is rebounding. Leading the charge is the City's most inspiring location – the Presidio. More than 300 tenants – from AI startups to Lucasfilm to Pet Food Express – have planted roots in the national park site, drawn by flexible spaces, bridge views, hot restaurants, and walking meetings on nature trails. And there's more to come. Newly renovated Presidio spaces hit the market this fall, including an iconic historic office building, 102 Montgomery Street, in the heart of the park. In this conversation, Presidio Trust CEO Jean Fraser and Chief Business Officer Rich Rusnack discuss what's generating the buzz. The Presidio has a 96% commercial occupancy rate, well above the average for San Francisco. What's driving interest in the park? Jean Fraser: Employees resist coming to an office unless the benefits of being in person outweigh the time and cost of the commute. But everyone loves being in the Presidio. The fresh air and natural beauty inspire people to do their best work. I can attest to that myself! Our commercial tenants tell us that locating their business here is a recruitment and retention tool. That's demonstrated by how many are renewing their lease or expanding their footprint in the park. And the park supports both business needs and life needs, offering the convenience of a free shuttle direct from downtown, meeting venues, hotels, golf, gyms, and places to eat. What organizations have recently located in the Presidio? Rich Rusnack: The waterfront complex we recently renovated at Crissy Field captures the unique character of this place. Seven warehouses that once supplied goods to troops in World War II are now a modern, soon to be LEED-certified hub for AI startups. And lured by all the visitors walking their dogs, Pet Food Express just opened their latest store there. On the Main Post, we are wrapping up renovation of a historic building for the Adda Clevenger School's K-8 campus. And Dalida Mediterranean Restaurant is one of the hottest reservations in town. Are new spaces coming online? Rich Rusnack: We're excited about 102 Montgomery Street, an iconic brick building in the heart of the park near transit and amenities. It's a beautiful 39,000 SF three-floor building that would make an ideal headquarters for a growing company. It's also divisible into smaller spaces, starting at 5,000 SF. It's available as a warm shell in October ready for a new tenant, or tenants, to make their own. At the other end of the spectrum, we have small office suites on the Main Post coming online in a few months that are great for solo practitioners or small firms. Pre-leasing is underway, and there are only a few spaces left. What other Presidio improvements are coming up? Jean Fraser: We're making a huge investment through our Presidio Forward work. We're re-paving roads and bike lanes, connecting sidewalks, and improving bus stops for the free Presidio GO park shuttle. We also added a new stop for the Muni 30 at Crissy Field; it's been called 'the most beautiful bus stop in the world.' We're also replacing the park's Army-era power grid so we can support more electric vehicle charging stations and convert our buildings from gas to electric power to ensure we have an abundant supply of reliable energy. And Presidio Tunnel Tops has been such a huge hit that we're opening an expanded picnic area for families on July 17. It's called Outpost Meadow, just steps from the big nature playground. We're offering extended summer hours at the playground to take advantage of the longer days. Is there anything you wish people knew about the Presidio they might not already? Rich Rusnack: Presidio tenants know their rent is much more than a business expense – it's an investment in something greater. The Presidio Trust plows the rent we receive right back into the park, keeping it clean, safe, and beautiful for millions of visitors. That's why I left private equity to work here: I saw a chance to apply my business experience to something lasting and innovative – a self-sustaining national park site that honors history, connects people to nature, and serves the public good. Jean Fraser: There are so many things people don't know about the Presidio, like the fact that the park features hundreds of homes for rent, nine schools, 13 restaurants, two hotels, and a free express shuttle to and from downtown. Like the awe you feel looking out your office window seeing a great blue heron on the lawn or watching your kids play in nature. It's a magical place to live and work. Unlike other national parks, we don't get annual taxpayer support: we pay our own way. Like Rich, I chose to work at the Presidio Trust because of our dual nature: we run very successful real estate and hospitality businesses to fund a world-class national park site. Our staff get as much joy from reintroducing turtles, frogs, and butterflies as we do from providing outstanding service to our residential and commercial tenants. .
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fake $100 bills made from real dollars, Hawaii experts warn
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Counterfeit cash is circulating through Hawaii, while Honolulu police data shows forgery cases are up in 2025. A local business owner who got burned and wants others to be on the lookout. Saying aloha: Siam Imports to shutter as neighborhood transforms A fake $100 bill — apparently made by bleaching a $1 bill and reprinting it with $100 markings — was recently passed to a longtime local business owner. 'And I had a couple other girls in here at the same time, so I didn't really closely look at the $100, which if I would have did that I could it probably prevented it,' said Kevin Costello, Siam Imports owner. Costello has owned Siam Imports for 28 years and will be closing up shop at the end of July. 'I'm so used to having good customers coming through my shop over the years that I get lackadaisical ago, sometimes,' he said. Check out more news from around Hawaii Honolulu police data shows counterfeiting and forgery in 2025 has spiked 16.5% compared to the same time in 2024. 'We're seeing more and more of these bleaching of dollar bills, and then they're being printed with 50 or 100 on them,' said Retail Merchants of Hawaii President Tina Yamaki. Experts said to always check if the blue strip on $100 dollar bills really is a hologram instead of a sticker. The pen to check counterfeits did not work for Costello. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news 'It still feels kind of like a paper bill because you're still using the same, you know, paper. It's like if you throw money through the wash. Right? It still feels like a bill, but we're seeing a lot more people now holding it up to the light, finding out that the pens don't always work,' Yamaki said. Both retail experts and affected businesses gave the advice to take the extra time to really get a look at those bigger bills since counterfeiting and forgery crime is on the rise in Honolulu. 'Just to be a little bit more vigilant when you are taking money. Even if your lines are long, be sure that you check your bills thoroughly,' Yamaki said. 'Take the extra couple seconds, actually, all it would've took,' Costello said. 'And hopefully by you guys doing this report, it prevents someone else from getting, taken by those same people or a group of people or whatever.' Stolen jewels, boa constrictors killing owners, check out The U.S. Secret Service website shows there are at least nine different indicators to tell if a $100 bill is fake, for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Post
9 hours ago
- New York Post
How to find new crypto coins before they explode
The New York Post may receive revenue from affiliate/advertising partnerships for sharing this content and/or if you click or make a purchase. Most investors, even those new to the cryptocurrency market, have likely heard of Bitcoin and Ethereum – but finding up-and-coming coins to invest in can be a trickier task. Newer projects with lower market capitalizations can make for riskier investments, according to Daniel Polotsky, co-founder and chairman of crypto kiosk provider CoinFlip. 'While they may offer greater upside, they also have a much higher chance of failing completely,' Polotsky told The Post. Advertisement Cryptocurrency experts advise new investors to start out with mainstream assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. CoinMarketCap has a list of new cryptocurrency coins on its website. That's because a common mistake among newbies is that 'they feel like they missed the boat with Bitcoin, so then they buy some of these smaller coins, like these meme coins that are like four cents a coin, thinking it'll be the next Bitcoin, and those coins are usually four cents for a reason,' Ben Weiss, co-founder and chief executive of CoinFlip, told The Post. Advertisement Investors with some cryptocurrency experience may be ready to dive into newer coins and seek out the next big thing – and there's a lower-risk way to do so. As cryptocurrency has skyrocketed in popularity, one challenging aspect of picking new coins to invest in isn't a lack of information, but rather an overload. There are sizable crypto communities on social media platforms like X, formerly known as Twitter, and Reddit. Galeno – It can be difficult to know where to turn with so many different crypto platforms and newsletters available today. Advertisement Often with cryptocurrency, which typically isn't pegged to any fiat currency, public opinion can be a great indicator of a coin's trajectory. 'For better or worse, crypto prices are often driven by both hype and substance,' Polotsky told The Post. There are sizable crypto communities on social media platforms like X, formerly known as Twitter, and Reddit in particular, where a simple search can help users gauge prevailing sentiment on a coin. Another helpful factor when researching a new coin is to dig into the team behind it. Advertisement 'Anonymous teams may pose greater risks, as they face less reputational damage if they were to rug pull,' Polotsky told The Post. Some smaller memecoins, for example, offer little public information on the teams behind them or keep their creators wholly anonymous. A more transparent team lends more credibility to newer coins, since it shows someone is willing to take accountability for the project. Are You Crypto Curious? How to start crypto trading today Best Wallet Download a trusted exchange app — Start by choosing a licensed crypto exchange. We recommend starting with the Best Wallet app, available for both iOS and Android. Create and verify your account — Sign up using your email, Google, or Apple ID. To complete registration, you'll need to verify your identity with a government-issued ID and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security. Fund your account — Deposit money into your account by linking a bank account or credit card or even using gift cards. Choose an option that best fits your lifestyle. Buy your first cryptocurrency — Use the app's marketplace or swap tool to purchase crypto by entering the ticker symbol — like BTC for Bitcoin or ETH for Ethereum — and follow the prompts to complete the transaction. Choose how to store your crypto — Decide whether you'll keep your crypto in the exchange, move it to a digital wallet (hot wallet), or store it offline (cold wallet) for extra protection. LEARN MORE There are several reputable sources where investors can dig into research on new crypto coins. Polotsky recommends simple research platforms like Messari, CoinGecko and DeFi Llama, which lay out crucial coin metrics like trading volume and fees. Investors can gain inside scoops on new coins by attending crypto conferences and hackathons, along with surfing X and Reddit, Polotsky told The Post. And building relationships with other crypto enthusiasts – though not as quick as a Reddit search – can help investors stay up-to-date on the latest happenings in the space. Advertisement A more transparent, public team can be a sign that a coin is a good investment. NY Post The good news is that there's no end to exciting new cryptocurrencies being added to blockchains. Sites like CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko list all the new coins added to their databases over the past 30 days, including cryptocurrencies that trade on major blockchains like Ethereum and Solana. At the time of writing, four new coins have been added to CoinMarketCap within just the last five hours. Advertisement The sites organize new cryptocurrencies by price, market cap, volume and blockchain. Polotsky said some of his most exciting picks include Ondo and Plume, which are both Real World Asset tokens – digital coins that represent actual, tangible assets that exist outside the blockchain. After researching and finding a new cryptocurrency that you'd like to purchase, the next step is to invest. Your first step is to choose a payment method, whether it be credit cards, bank transfers, mobile apps like PayPal or Apple Pay or even cash at physical Bitcoin ATMs. Advertisement Each of these methods come with their own pros and cons. Credit cards are accepted by most crypto platforms and make transactions much quicker. However, some platforms charge fees for credit card use, which can quickly stack up, and banks often flag or decline crypto purchases. Mobile payment systems like Apple Pay and Google Pay are also among the easiest choices, though these systems typically link to a credit or debit card, so you could face the same fees and hurdles from your bank. A third option is open banking, which transfers money directly from your account to your chosen crypto platform. It's a highly secure method with lower fees than credit cards, but it can take longer than using a credit card and it's not as widely available. Advertisement Sites like CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko organize new coins by price, market cap, volume and blockchain. Volodymyr – After choosing a payment method, it's time to find a crypto platform that works for you. Coinbase is a favorite for new investors, since it has solid security measures, low fees and an easy-to-use website. It does not offer margin or options trading, and only allows future trading on select coins. Kraken is another good choice for beginners with low fees, though it also lacks the capability for options trading. has reasonable fees and strong security measures, along with the ability to trade Bitcoin options and futures. It's likely better-suited for more advanced investors, since it only offers chat service and no phone calls to investors requiring assistance. Gemini is another solid pick for more experienced investors, with advanced security measures. It has an even more bare-bones customer support system, offering only a request form. CoinGecko's website includes a list of new cryptocurrencies. With a chosen payment method and platform, you're ready to invest in whichever crypto coins have caught your eye. The final step is to decide where you want to store your cryptocurrency – in a hot or cold wallet. A digital wallet, or hot wallet, remains connected to the internet at all times. While it's more convenient and makes it easier to make transactions quickly, this type of wallet is also more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. There are tons of digital wallets to choose from, like Best Wallet and Ledger. Several platforms, including Coinbase, and Kraken, also offer their own wallets. You can also choose to store your newly-bought crypto offline, in what is known as a cold wallet. This provides extra security to your investments – but it's all on you. If you lose your wallet address, a unique string of letters and numbers that allows you to access your investments, you'll have no way of getting your crypto back. New York Post Approved 60+ Chains. Total Control. Best Wallet The Best Wallet app puts security first with biometric logins, two-factor authentication, and full non-custodial control — so you hold your keys, not just your coins. With support for thousands of altcoins across 60+ blockchains, it pairs top-tier security with powerful, user-friendly tools — making it the safest, most innovative way to HODL, swap, and manage your crypto. Learn More 108M+ Users Worldwide Coinbase Coinbase is building a more inclusive financial future for over a billion people, enabling them to trade, stake, spend, and transfer crypto on a secure and trusted platform. It powers the on-chain economy with essential infrastructure, global access, and a commitment to fair, responsible innovation. Learn More 114.9% BTC Reserve Ratio Kraken Kraken takes crypto security seriously, with FIDO2-compliant Passkey logins, encrypted communications, and customizable API permissions that keep your account firmly in your control. With no phone-based recovery, time-locked global settings, and real-time threat monitoring, it's built to protect your assets at every layer. Learn More $232B Platform Assets Robinhood Robinhood Crypto offers a user-friendly platform for trading and transferring digital assets, including the ability to securely and easily send and receive crypto to and from external wallets. With its self-custody Robinhood Wallet, it manages crypto holdings across multiple blockchains, including Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Solana. Learn More 20% of Global Crypto Secured Ledger Ledger is a leading provider of secure hardware wallets, offering devices like the Ledger Nano X and Ledger Stax that protect private keys offline using industry-leading Secure Element chips and a proprietary operating system. Paired with the Ledger Live app, manage over 5,500 digital assets, including cryptocurrencies and NFTs. Learn More 100M+ Users & Growing lets you buy, sell and trade over 400 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, with zero-fee USD deposits, wire, and Apple/Google Pay. With a user base exceeding 140 million, the platform gives advanced trading options, a self-custodial wallet through Onchain, and industry-leading security certifications. Learn More $53T+ in Transactions Uphold Uphold is a multi-asset trading platform that enables users to buy, sell, and swap over 360 cryptocurrencies, 27 fiat currencies, and four precious metals, all in a single step. With features like assisted self-custody via the Uphold Vault, staking rewards up to 16.8%, and real-time reserve transparency, it offers a secure and versatile experience for both beginners and seasoned investors. Learn More The New York Post may receive revenue from affiliate/advertising partnerships for sharing this content and/or if you click or make a purchase.
