Hawaii’s history as one of the world’s most literate societies in the 19th century now sits in uneasy contrast with a modern reality: tens of thousands of adults across the state still struggle with the basic reading and writing skills needed to fully participate in family life, work and civic life.

Advocates say that without urgent, coordinated investment, low literacy will continue to hamper the state’s economy, strain health systems and perpetuate intergenerational poverty.

Jill Takasaki Canfield, executive director of Hawaii Literacy, noted that while Hawaii performs better than the national average of 22%, about 17% of adults in the state still face challenges with basic reading skills, with rates climbing to 25% in some communities. She explained that tens of thousands of adults re

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