Chamber of Commerce Hawaii

Care Summit: When Care Works

Chamber of Commerce Hawaii’s Events unite the business community to enhance the state’s economic climate by fostering success for businesses and business leaders alike. Attend or sponsor a Chamber event to promote your company, build brand awareness, market to your target demographics, expand your network and invest in your local community.

Chamber of Commerce Hawaii's Care Summit: When Care Works

Join our state's Chamber leaders, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) policy experts, early care and education (ECE) leaders, and lawmakers for 11/17 Care Summit: When Care Works.

The Summit will feature special guests from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, including Aaron Merchen, Executive Director of Policy & Programs, and Brittany Scott, Senior Manager of Policy, Early Childhood Education. Together with Hawaiʻi-based experts from PATCH, the University of Hawai'i, and other partners, we will gain insights on the state’s early care and education (ECE) landscape, its economic impact, and explore innovative solutions.

Childcare is not just a family issue — it’s a cornerstone of Hawaiʻi’s economic infrastructure. The complexity of this challenge demands cross-sector collaboration to ensure Hawaiʻi’s children, families, businesses, and economy thrive together.

AGENDA

8:30 AM Check-in / Breakfast

9:00 AM Welcome / Introduction

9:10 AM - 9:40 AM Presentation by USCCF: Why ECE, Federal Update, Public-Private Partnerships and Solutions - Aaron Merchen, Executive Director, Policy and Programs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation & Brittany Scott, Senior Manager, Policy, Early Childhood Education, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

9:40 AM - 9:50 AM COCH 2025 Childcare Economic Impact Report - Nadia Holt, Associate Director, Community Impact, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii
9:50 AM - 10:30 AM Strengthening the ECE Workforce - Dr. Theresa Lock, Director, University of Hawaii, College of Education, Early Childhood Educator Excellence and Equity Project (ECE3)
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM Hawai'i's Early Childhood Population, Care Settings, and Gaps - Dr. Barbara DeBaryshe, Interim Director, University of Hawaii, CTAHR, Center on the Family

10:45 AM - 11:00 AM Supporting and Strengthening the Child Care System - Carol Wear, Executive Director, PATCH

11:00 AM - 11:15 AM On-site Care: Insights - Angela Thomas, Hawai'i County Early Childhood Resource Coordinator

11:15 AM - 11:45 AM Workplace Hui - Cherilyn Shiinoki, Executive Director, Family Hui
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM Lunch / Debrief, Discussion & Next Steps
12:45 PM - 1:30 PM Optional Workshop: Innovative Solutions
1:30 PM Pau

Further Event Details:
Care Summit: When Care Works
A Chamber-hosted convening on strengthening Hawaiʻi’s workforce and families to drive economic growth — and engaging the business community in the solution.

Monday, November 17, 2025 | 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM

AC Hotel – 1111 Bishop Street, Honolulu, HI 96813

*No cost. Breakfast / lunch included.

The Chamber will set the stage with the unveiling of the Child Care Economic Impact Report for Hawaiʻi, highlighting the substantial financial toll of insufficient childcare—an estimated $1.18 billion each year in direct employer costs and reduced state tax revenue.

Participants will:

Gain a comprehensive understanding of Hawaiʻi’s current early care and education landscape and barriers
Engage directly with policy leaders and early care and education (ECE) experts exploring innovative childcare and workforce policy solutions
Strengthen ties with the business community and more

Please RSVP or send any questions to Nadia Holt, Associate Director of Community Impact, at nholt@cochawaii.org.
Your presence would be greatly appreciated — even if you’re only able to join us for part of the program.

Special Guests

Aaron Merchen
Executive Director, Policy and Programs
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Aaron works on the Chamber Foundation's early childhood education portfolio leading efforts to educate policy makers, state and local chambers and early education advocates on business’ role in early education to promote investments in the workforce of today and tomorrow.

Brittany Scott
Senior Manager, Policy, Early Childhood Education
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Brittany is the Senior Manager, Policy, Early Childhood Education at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. She leads efforts to support the early childhood education portfolio, collaborating with state and local chambers to develop innovative solutions to childcare and workforce challenges.