Mitch D'Olier, Harold K.L. Castle Foundation president & chief executive officer, said the Hawai'i P-20 Initiative has "already shown great promise, achieving a significant policy breakthrough in its first year when it pushed for the Board of Education to approve a new, more rigorous Board Recognition Diploma whose requirements were drawn by P-20 as recommended by the American Diploma Project."

D'Olier added that Hawai'i P-20 is "uniquely qualified to lead this effort." He noted that because P-20 is a partnership of the Department of Education, University of Hawai'i, elected officials, early childhood education, independent schools (K-12 and higher education), and business and community organizations, it is "poised to facilitate discussion and changes needed to raise educational outcomes for Hawai'i."

Tammi Oyadomori-Chun, Hawai'i P-20 executive director, recognized the critical role of the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation.

"Their early angel support enabled the Hawai'i P-20 Initiative to take root. We have already been able to take significant steps, dovetailing with the Kellogg Foundation's $10 million support of P-3, our early literacy program and, our federal grant for GEAR UP, in addressing Hawai'i's educational pipeline and achievement gap issues," she said.

The foundation's executive director, Terry George, said that the foundation's substantial commitment should continue to build the capacity of P-20, enabling them to "enlarge their grassroots and policy footprint. P-20 can bring on more staff, develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy, institute a more rigorous monitoring and evaluation system, secure additional long-term funding, and accumulate other needed resources."

George pointed out, however, that while the funding award significantly expands P-20's capacity, P-20 must do more. "It must persuade the various stakeholders that it is here to stay. Otherwise, its effectiveness as a catalyst for change will be limited."