KCAA’s Center for Early Education and Development Receives Grant from First Hawaiian Bank Foundation | Business

KCAA Preschools of Hawai'i has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the First Hawaiian Bank (FHB) Foundation over a two-year period to support the final phase of the Center for Early Education and Development (CEED) construction.

Last November KCAA began construction of the CEED on the Mother Rice campus in Moiliili. This technologically advanced training center will expand opportunities for professional development for early educators, including both KCAA and non-KCAA staff, and will help address the shortage of qualified early educators in Hawaii.

“FHB Foundation recognizes that education of keiki in our community is a priority,” said Robert Harrison, FHB’s chief executive officer. “We know that this grant is necessary for the advancement of quality early education in Hawaii, and we are pleased to have the opportunity to support future generations.

The CEED will be a two-story, 6,000-square-foot building. The first floor will house a model demonstration classroom; a state-of-the-art adult training room is located on the second floor.

The CEED will expand opportunities for early learning professional development through online and distance learning in partnership with Chaminade University and other institutions of higher education. The building, with state-of-the-art technology and equipment, will provide increased access for observation of best practices and also include job-embedded training.

Established in 1895 as Free Kindergarten and Children’s Aid Association, today KCAA Preschools of Hawai'i serves almost 1,000 children annually at its seven nationally accredited schools on Oahu.

First Hawaiian Bank Foundation is the charitable arm of First Hawaiian Bank. In 2011, the Foundation and Bank contributed to more than 400 nonprofit organizations in Hawaii, Guam and CNMI.  The Foundation funds educational opportunities, access to health care, services for children and youth, human service needs, and support of culture and the arts.