The Island Without Childcare for Babies

Kauaʻi, a Hawaiian island, has faced a severe infant and toddler childcare shortage for over 15 years, with only 10-14 home-based spots available annually for 700 newborns. Parents rely on family support, remote work, or leaving jobs due to the crisis, exacerbated by the pandemic and tourism shutdowns. New infant/toddler slots opened in 2024 and 2025 through grant-funded programs, marking recent progress.