Two women wearing black shirts and leis made of purple and white flowers are smiling at a health awareness booth. The booth displays information about promoting healthier habits in Hawaii's early childhood system and features colorful materials, pamp
A lush garden with various potted and planted plants, surrounded by green trees and bushes, with a banana tree in the background.
Two smiling women at a Hawaiian-themed event, wearing colorful flower leis. One woman has long, wavy dark hair and is dressed in a black top with a patterned cover-up. The other woman has curly hair and is wearing a green shirt. They are standing ind
A classroom or conference room filled with mostly women sitting around tables, some listening attentively, others using their phones. A woman is standing at the front near a presentation screen with a slide that says "Share Back" and mentions 2-3 key
People at an outdoor market stall with cherry tomatoes in plastic containers, under a shaded wooden structure with climbing plants.
A booth at an event displaying informational material, a prize wheel, books, and a sign that reads 'SCAN HERE TO WIN A PRIZE.' The tablecloth has the logo of a tree with roots and the words 'HEALTHY KEIKI, HEALTHY FUTURE.' The display promotes a stat
A woman with dreadlocks, wearing a beige vest and a black shirt, smiling and leaning over boxes of leafy greens in a room with yellow and white walls. There are several bags of produce and a name tag that reads 'Jordan'.
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Healthy Keiki, Healthy Future (HKHF)

Sowing Healthier Habits in Hawai‘i’s Early Childhood System

Healthy Keiki, Healthy Future (HKHF) is a statewide public-private initiative to embed healthy eating and physical activity standards into Hawai‘i’s Early Care and Education (ECE) systems and settings. 

Research suggests that many disparities in overall health and well-being are rooted in early childhood. Interventions that support healthy development in early childhood reduce these disparities, have lifelong positive impacts, and support high quality care. Addressing health disparities through evidence-based physical activity and nutrition practices effectively offers opportunities to advance equity and improve the lives of young children and those that care for them.   

Since February 2022 Hawai‘i ECE stakeholders from across the state have implemented key initiatives that increase food access for vulnerable populations, create positive systems change, and strengthen partnerships to continue efforts helping our youngest keiki build lifelong healthy habits. HKHF provides technical assistance (TA), tools/resources, and financial support.

Circular logo with the text 'Healthy Keliki Healthy Futures' surrounding a landscape scene divided into four sections: mountain with plants and a river, a honeycomb pattern, and flowing water.

www.hkhfhawaii.com

 

Projects by the HKHF Initiative

 

Guided by the CDC Spectrum of Opportunities framework, stakeholders positively impact systems change in the following opportunity areas: Child and Adult Care Food Program, Partnerships, Pre-Service and Professional Development Systems, Statewide Technical Assistance Networks, Statewide Access Initiatives (Farm2ECE), and Statewide Recognition and Intervention Programs.

Hawai‘i’s FarmWise Coalition

Growing Local Food Access in Early Childhood Care

Hawai‘i’s FarmWise Coalition brings together cross-sector stakeholders and policy leaders to expand access to nutritious, locally sourced foods for young children.

This statewide coalition explores approaches to increase local food procurement, expand young children’s access and exposure to healthy food, and promote lifelong healthy habits. Our approach is centered on collaboration, cultural integrity, and systems change that uplifts community-led solutions. Capacity and relationship building brings together diverse stakeholders like:

  • ECE providers and advocates,

  • food producers,

  • food banks,

  • public health advocates,

  • and policy leaders.

Hawai‘i’s participation in the national FarmWise Collaborative builds on the foundation of HKHF, a statewide effort to improve food access and nutrition for Hawai‘i’s youngest eaters. Learn more.

    • The National Farm to CACFP Institute and Learning Collaborative, is known as FarmWise

    • Two-year (2024-2026) funding and technical assistance opportunity to 14 state coalitions

    • Dedicated to advancing nutrition and food access through CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) and Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) activities

  • Hawaiʻi’s FARMWISE network includes:

    • Executive Office on Early Learning

    • Hawaiʻi Department of Health, Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division

    • Hawaiʻi Child Nutrition Programs

    • Hawaiʻi Food Bank, Hawaiʻi Good Food Alliance, Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute

    • People Attentive to Children (PATCH), University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Children’s Healthy Living Center and Center on the Family

    • Chaminade University, Windward Community College,

    • and local ECE programs

  • ASPHN - Association of State Public Health Nutritionists

    CACFP - Child and Adult Care Food Program

    ECE - Early Care and Education

    F2CACFP - Farm to CACFP

    HKHF - Healthy Keiki, Healthy Future