Subsidies for preschool tuition available

Families can apply for child care subsidies through the state’s Preschool Open Doors program through the end of May.

The state announced it has opened an additional application cycle for preschool participation between July 1 and June 30, 2018.

Preschool Open Doors, which serves more than 1,700 children, helps offset preschool tuition for eligible low- and moderate-income families for the year before kindergarten. Funding for the program is limited, and underserved or at-risk keiki receive priority.

To qualify, children must be born between Aug. 1, 2012, and July 31, 2013.

Applications can be dropped off or mailed to PATCH at 560 N. Nimitz Highway, Suite 218, Honolulu, HI 96817. Applications also can be faxed to 694-3066.

For information on income eligibility and to download an application, go to patchhawaii.org/programs/preschool-open-doors.

Kauai

Council approves $890,000 to buy new police vehicles

LIHUE >> The Kauai Police Department is getting new patrol cars after the County Council agreed to spend $890,000 over five years to acquire new Ford Explorers.

The Council approved police Chief Darryl Perry’s request for the vehicles in a unanimous vote last week. The Council will spend $178,000 a year as part of the five-year lease-to-own agreement, and the money will come from an account designated for leased vehicles, the Garden Island reported.

The department is now in its second year of a three-year vehicle replacement plan, which aims to purchase 15 police cars a year. Each vehicle costs between $50,000 and $55,000.

Assistant Police Chief Robert Gausepohl said the new vehicles will help ensure officers are able to respond to emergencies safely.

He expects officers to be able to get use out of the vehicles for at least seven years.

“Some vehicles are better built than others, and we have vehicles that are used much more than others, depending on what geographical areas they’re assigned to,” Gausepohl said. “The outside stations, they put way more miles on their cars.”

During Wednesday’s meeting, Councilman Ross Kagawa said he wanted the Police Department to justify its need for the new vehicles because the county is “coming up at hard times” financially.

“We want to do the service, but we’re not going to give you unlimited funds,” Kagawa said. “We’ll give you what you need to survive, just like everybody else. I just want to make sure we’re not using more than we need.”

Gausepohl tried to assure Council members that the department is “trying to be as fiscally responsible as we can be.” He said the department will re-evaluate its need for additional cars after the completion of the three-year vehicle replacement program.

The department will also salvage parts from the cars that are being replaced and use them on other cars where necessary, Gausepohl said.

“We’re saving a tremendous amount of money by doing that,” he said.