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.
Our Vision Statement
“Hawai‘i’s keiki and their communities are thriving through equitable access to nutritious, locally sourced food, clean water, and healthy ʻāina, rooted in cultural traditions and community resilience.”
HKHF Reach and Impact
Feb 2022 - Oct 2025
4
Providers, trainers and TA specialists in four major counties reached
(Virtual and in person)
150+
ECE programs reached
(Virtual and in person)
5,300+
Children ages 0-5 in ECE settings impacted
$275,000
Federal dollars infused into local economy for physical activity and nutrition in ECE
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.
Featured Efforts
Hawai‘i’s FARMWISE Coalition
brings together policy leaders and food systems and early childhood education stakeholders to expand access to nutritious, locally sourced foods for young keiki.
CACFP Resource Mapping
explores CACFP and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) participation of child care and early learning programs statewide.
HKHF Stakeholder Convening 2023
was an opportunity to promote statewide collaboration and strengthen relationships.
The contents of this website are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, DNPAO/NCCDPHP/CDC/HHS, or the U.S. government.
This work is supported by the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists’ FARMWISE initiative through the USDA Farm to School Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreement (USDA-FNS-F2S-CTECH-24-AZ1), a grant from the Clementine Fund via the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Food Resilience Fund, and by the Healthy Kids, Healthy Future Technical Assistance Program (HKHF TAP) led by Nemours Children’s Health under CDC cooperative agreement number NU38PW000047-01-01 and 6NU38OT000304-04-02.
Nemours Children's Health Healthy Kids, Healthy Future Technical Assistance Program (HKHF TAP)
HKHF Resource Library
Garden to Grindz: Kaua`i Farm to ECE Local Food Incentive Pilot Webinar
Sharing the best practices and lessons learned, for both ECE programs and food hubs, from our 2021-2023 Farm to ECE pilot.
Summary Presentation
09/2023
