A sea of pink filled the Capitol rotunda this morning as early education advocates — including President Barack Obama‘s half-sister Maya Soetoro-Ng — and dozens of tots from preschools throughout the state gathered to rally for a statewide early learning program. 

Pink has become a symbol of support for Gov. Neil Abercrombie‘s mission to provide preschool for all of Hawaii’s 4-year-olds — a proposal that has since been bolstered by Obama’s “Preschool for All” initiative. 

A number of big-time early education advocates spoke at today’s rally, including Soetoro-Ng, the governor, Executive Office on Early Learning Executive Director Terry Lock and lawmakers Sen. Jill Tokuda and Rep. Takashi Ohno. Preschoolers from the Seagull Schools (where Tokuda’s son is a student) and other centers gathered to chant and wave flags promoting universal preschool. 

“The wave is in Hawaii, and we’re going to ride it,” said Abercrombie, referencing an analogy he’s used throughout the session to promote his legislation.

Both Soetoro-Ng and Tokuda stressed that a statewide preschool program is key to making sure all children have equal access to future opportunities.

“Preschool is the greatest equalizer we have,” Tokuda said.

The rally was one of several in recent months urging lawmakers to pass the governor’s three early learning bills, including one that would ask voters to decide on a constitutional amendment allowing the state to fund private preschool partnerships with public money.

One measure — Senate Bill 1093 — would establish a school readiness program for the roughly 3,500 late-born 4-year-olds who won’t get to enroll in kindergarten because the junior kindergarten program is being eliminated. Another — Senate Bill 1095 — would create a full-blown early education program whose goal is to ultimately provide preschool opportunities to all 4-year-olds.

The legislation has made headlines throughout the session, particularly in light of the national movement to close the achievement gap through programs such as universal preschool. Supporters say they’re “cautiously optimistic” that the programs will come to fruition, pointing to limited funding and skepticism over the con. am. proposal. 

Soetoro-Ng — after jokingly asking if she could take all the keiki home with her — said universal preschool is all about equity.

The Executive Office on Early Learning receives in-kind services and support from The Omidyar Group as well as grants from the Hawaii Community Foundation via the Pierre and Pamela Omidyar Ohana Fund. Pierre Omidyar is the CEO and publisher of Civil Beat.

— Alia Wong