Kama‘āina Kids Offering Special Programs for Essential Employees and Their Families

In response to the coronavirus crisis, Kamaʻāina Kids is offering special programs for the children of essential workers. They are offering flexible three-day programs and five-day programs at 21 locations on Oʻahu and Maui.

“We have been a nonprofit since we opened our doors at Heʻeia State Park in 1987, and we are here to serve the community,” said Ray Sanborn, president of Kamaʻāina Kids. “The state has designated childcare service providers as essential employees and we want to be there for the people who are working hard to get us through this global pandemic.”

In addition to its regular programs for infants to preschool-aged children, Kamaʻāina Kids is offering support services to school-aged children at seven of its locations. All programs include breakfast, lunch and a snack along with enrichment activities that promote learning, growth, creativity and fun.

“We are providing a nurturing environment for our keiki that is in compliance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state’s Department of Human Services,” said Sanborn.

Kamaʻāina Kids has taken several precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of the children and staff, including:

• Sanitation stations throughout all facilities
• Frequent sanitation of its facilities throughout the day
• Strict limits to the number of children and staff allowed in each room
• Extra attention to proper handwashing

Space is limited to ensure all children and staff are able to practice safe social distancing. To learn more about the programs available for children of essential employees, please visit Kamaʻāina Kids website, www.kamaainakids.com. To enroll your infant to preschool-aged child, contact the director of your preferred site; school-aged children can be enrolled online.

Kamaʻāina Kids is a nonprofit organization.  It first opened its doors at Heʻeia State Park in 1987. It is currently one of the largest childcare providers in Hawaiʻi, serving nearly 10,000 children and families with 1,200 employees across all its divisions at 100 locations statewide from Līhuʻe to Hilo.