Honolulu families who rely on the A+ After-School Plus program are being told to brace for higher bills. The Hawaii Department of Education is raising the monthly fee from $200 to $240 starting Aug. 1, 2026, a $40 increase that the department says is needed to handle rising operating costs and boost pay so it can recruit and keep staff.
In a notice sent to parents and guardians, the DOE said the higher fee “reflect[s] our commitment to maintaining a fair, efficient and self-sustaining program while continuing to provide high quality after-school care,” according to KHON2. The notice to A+ families also included an email address for questions: [email protected].
Who Can Get Help Paying
Families that meet income-eligibility rules may qualify for a Department of Human Services subsidy that can cover the entire monthly A+ fee, according to the Hawai‘i Afterschool Alliance. On its A+ program page, the alliance provides an income-eligibility table and a calculator so families can see whether DHS or Child Care Connection subsidies might apply.
Program Basics And Local Context
The A+ program fee was set at $200 per month for the 2025-26 school year, according to the Hawaii State Department of Education’s A+ registration materials. A+ offers supervised after-school care for students in grades K through 6 whose parents are working, in school or in job training, and the DOE notes that tuition is a flat monthly rate due on the first program day of each month.
What Parents Should Do Next
Parents are being urged to review the DOE notice and check their subsidy options before the August fee increase takes effect. For details on available help, including the income-eligibility calculator and links to DHS and Child Care Connection resources and application forms, families can visit the Hawai‘i Afterschool Alliance.
