Maui Economic Opportunity’s Head Start preschool program will be accepting
applications beginning February 2026 for the 2026-2027 school year.
Head Start is a federally funded program that provides comprehensive early
childhood education services at no cost to families that meet the federal
poverty income guidelines and selection criteria. All families with
age-eligible children are welcome to apply.
Eligible participants are children, who are or will be 3- or 4-years-old by
July 31, 2026. Parents or Legal Guardians are required to provide the
child’s birth certificate and income verification (preferably 2025 income
tax returns or 2025 W-2 forms). When applicable, Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit history printouts will be
required.
MEO Head Start operates at eight locations on Maui, including Haiku,
Kahului, Kihei, Lahaina, Makawao, UH-Maui College and Wailuku and one on
Moloka‘i at the Kaunakakai Head Start Center. MEO Head Start is funded for
180 children and their families with 20 keiki per classroom with the school
year running from August to May 2027.
Applications may be completed online here MEO Headstart Application. In
person applications may be picked up or completed at the MEO Head Start
office, located at 99 Mahalani St. in Wailuku. Office hours are 7:15 a.m. to
4 p.m., Monday to Friday, except on federal and state holidays.
For more information, please visit the MEO Headstart website or by
contacting the MEO Head Start office at (808) 249-2988.
Makawao Head Start teacher aide Alyssa Meninzor enjoys a field trip last year to the Maui Tropical Plantation with the children as they learn about different varieties of fruits and vegetables grown in Hawai`i.