Childcare Subsidies in Hawaii
Financial assistance programs to help Hawaii families pay for daycare and childcare.
Hawaii PATCH (People Attentive To Children)
Preschool Open Doors provides additional tuition assistance.
Am I Eligible?
How to Apply for Child Care Assistance in Hawaii
Application Process
Apply through the Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) Benefit, Employment & Support Services Division. Applications can be submitted in person at your local DHS office on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island. Hawaii has been slower to adopt online applications for child care, so plan on an in-person visit or mailing documents. You will need proof of Hawaii residency, income verification, child identification, and documentation of work or approved activity. Processing takes 3-5 weeks due to the manual nature of the application system.
Co-Pay Structure
Hawaii's co-pay structure reflects the state's extremely high cost of living. The income ceiling of $70,200 for a family of four sounds high but goes much less far in Hawaii than on the mainland. Co-pays are on a sliding scale and are relatively modest for lower-income families ($20-$60/month). Near the income ceiling, co-pays increase but remain below market rate, which is critical given that Hawaii has some of the highest childcare costs in the nation (infant care can exceed $1,200/month).
Waitlist Reality
Hawaii generally does not have a formal statewide waitlist, but provider availability is the primary constraint, particularly on neighbor islands where the number of licensed providers is limited. Oahu has the most options but also the highest demand. Families on Molokai, Lanai, and in rural Big Island areas may have very few choices. If you cannot find a licensed provider, Hawaii allows subsidized care through approved family child care homes.
Additional Programs in Hawaii
Hawaii's Preschool Open Doors (POD) program provides tuition assistance for preschool-aged children at participating centers, and this can sometimes be used alongside the regular child care subsidy for different hours. The Executive Office on Early Learning runs a state-funded pre-K program in some public schools. Head Start programs operate on all major islands. Hawaii also has a state Dependent Care Tax Credit that piggybacks on the federal CDCTC, giving additional tax relief.
Tips for Hawaii Parents
Apply for both the child care subsidy and Preschool Open Doors simultaneously, as they serve different but overlapping purposes. If you live on a neighbor island, contact your local DHS office directly rather than calling the Oahu office, as each island office knows its local providers. Consider family child care homes if center-based care is unavailable in your area. Keep all documents organized in a folder, as the in-person application process can require multiple visits if you are missing paperwork.
Federal Programs Available Everywhere
Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit
Claim 20-35% of childcare expenses on your federal taxes.
Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA)
Employer-sponsored pre-tax account for childcare expenses. Reduces taxable income.
Head Start / Early Head Start
Free federally funded program for children from low-income families. Head Start: ages 3-5. Early Head Start: birth to 3.
Eligibility: At or below federal poverty level (family of 4: ~$31,200 in 2024).
See Daycare Costs in Hawaii
Compare childcare prices across 5 counties in Hawaii. Center-based infant care averages $15,330/year.
View Hawaii daycare costs →