Victoria, Hawaii

Helping Every Keiki Shine

Long before I became a preschool teacher, children's book author, or Mrs. Hawaii United USA, my grandmother was laying the foundation for the work that would shape my life.

More than 20 years ago, she saw single mothers and working families in our community struggling to find affordable, quality child care. She knew that if parents were going to thrive, they needed a safe and nurturing place for their children.

So in 2002, she opened Faith, Hope, and Love Child Care and Learning Center in Waipahu, Hawaiʻi. Today, I have the privilege of continuing that legacy as a preschool teacher and assistant director at the center she founded.

Child care in Hawaii is among the most expensive in the United States, with infant center-based care averaging about $2,000-$3,000 per month.

Building Confidence From the Beginning

Every day, I watch our keiki (Hawaiian for child) learn, grow and discover who they are. But some of the most important growth happens long before they learn their ABCs. It happens when a child feels seen. When they feel safe. When they know they are loved.

Growing up in Hawaiʻi, I saw how strong our sense of community can be. At the same time, I saw the challenges many families face. The high cost of living, limited access to affordable child care, and the constant balancing act of work and family responsibilities can put tremendous pressure on parents. For many families, having a safe, nurturing place for their keiki is not just important, it’s essential.

The Foundation for Everything

Babies are constantly learning from the people around them. They learn whether their needs matter. They learn whether they can trust others. They learn how to regulate emotions, build relationships, and navigate challenges.

Mental health begins in the earliest relationships. When children have supportive adults who help them feel seen and secure, they develop the confidence and resilience that carry them through life.

When they do not, the effects can follow them for years. That is why early childhood is not simply a stage we pass through. It is the foundation everything else is built upon.

I believe every keiki deserves to feel valued, supported and loved.

Victoria

This belief inspired me to write Sunshine in My Skin, a children’s book that helps children embrace what makes them unique and reminds them that they are enough, exactly as they are.

It is also why I am proud to partner with ZERO TO THREE.

As both an educator and a caregiver, I have seen how important emotional well-being is in the earliest years. When we invest in babies and toddlers, when we support families, and when we help children build confidence from the start, we create a foundation that lasts a lifetime.

Because when we invest in children early, we are not just shaping their future. We are strengthening our communities and creating a brighter future for all of us.

Share

Victoria, Hawaii

Helping Every Keiki Shine

Building Confidence From the Beginning

The Foundation for Everything

Other Stories