Legislature should prioritize children by investing in their future

The well-being and vibrancy of Hawaiʻi tomorrow depends on the collective investment in our children today. This investment is also the key to a more equitable future.

Unfortunately, Hawaiʻi’s investment in children has been decreasing over the past 15 years, according to the Hawaiʻi Children’s Budget, which was prepared by the Hawaiʻi Budget & Policy Center and published this week by Hawaiʻi KIDS COUNT.

The Hawaiʻi Children’s Budget comprehensively analyzes the state’s budgets and spending on programs and services for children and youth, like public education, economic and social supports, Med-QUEST, and public and mental health.

The report found that the percent of the state’s budget spent on children dropped to 21 percent this year, down from 25 percent in 2005. And the state has only spent 91 cents of every dollar that it budgeted for children’s programs over the past decade—a figure that’s been decreasing over time.

Unless policymakers ensure economic security, safe and stable housing, and good education for all, we relegate some children—usually those whose families face socioeconomic barriers and discrimination—to a future of poverty and poor mental and physical health.

The outcomes we get are closely related to the amount we spend. The Hawaiʻi Children’s Budget found that, compared to other states, Hawaiʻi’s spending on children’s health ranks 44th, and its spending on public education ranks 38th.

This underinvestment leads to troubling results: our children’s economic well-being ranks just 44th in the country, and their educational well-being ranks 32nd, according to the national 2021 KIDS COUNT Data Book.

But this year, Hawaiʻi’s legislators should take the opportunity to turn the tide. This legislative session, state leaders can improve the way we invest in our children to help them realize their potential and be able to contribute to our communities for generations to come.