Representative Kirstin Kahaloa believes in the power of education to change lives.

Kirstin has the unique perspective of attending homeschool, then public school, then private school. After graduating from the Kamehameha Schools, Kirstin earned a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Political Science and a Master’s degree in Public Service Administration from the University of Evansville in Indiana. She also has a Master’s degree in Management & Leadership from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. She worked for over a decade at several institutions of higher education in the Continental U.S. serving in recruitment and retention efforts of international students.

Kirstin serves on the Chancellor’s Community Advisory Council for Hawaiʻi Community College, working together to improve the Pālamanui campus that serves our West Hawaiʻi students.

PRIORITIES FOR IMPROVING EDUCATION

• Make preschool available to all keiki.
  Universal access to preschool will help our children and support our working families. We do not have enough preschool capacity or options for all students who need it.
  
  

• Support our teachers and staff who directly impact our students.
  Teachers and staff can make the difference that changes a child’s lifelong trajectory. We can and must do better in supporting our teachers through salaries that reflect their responsibilities, expanding training opportunities before entering the classroom and in-service, and ensuring career advancement opportunities are available for non-teacher educational staff.
  
  

• Expand access to Hawaiian culture and language education.
  There are not enough Hawaiian language immersion classrooms across Hawaiʻi. This form of education is important to provide children with educational choices in both of Hawaiʻi’s official languages. As programs for Hawaiian culture and language expand in public education, training for teachers must be expanded as well. There are not enough teachers proficient in Hawaiian language to teach our children. 
  
  

• Improve the bridges from high school to college.
  Higher education is one of the best investments in a student’s future, yet the challenges students face to get into college can seem insurmountable. We must expand the reach of successful Early College programs, and offer more support in school from college and career counselors. We also need to better connect high school and community college programs that are regionally responsive to the area’s workforce needs, in partnership with the business community.
  
  

• Commit to at least 50% local food in our public school cafeterias.
  Our children should be eating the best food we can grow. What kids eat at an early age makes all the difference for their future. Hawaiʻi needs to prioritize sourcing more local ingredients for our school cafeterias, collectively the largest restaurant in the state.