HONOLULU -- Hawaii is on its way now to having a comprehensive early childhood learning program, despite Gov. Linda Lingle's attempt Tuesday to kill the bill -- lawmakers over-rode her veto.

The new law creates a State Early Learning Council which, over 10 years, aims to create the states first comprehensive early-education system.

"What we are trying to do now is really focus the resources on young children and we are really looking at the children who otherwise wouldn't be able to go to pre-school," said Christina Cox, KCAA Pre-Schools Hawaii President.

The governor and some Republican lawmakers said the plan as too expensive, costing up to $170 million over 10 years.

But Democrat lawmakers said funding will be rolled out gradually when money's available.

The goal's is to get 6,000 new students voluntarily enrolled in pre-schools and to improve the pre-school educations of another 7,000 children.

Some critics said the state initiative will take away business from private pre-school providers, but private providers are hoping to be partners in the program.

Cox said she sees it as a great opportunity to participate for Hawaii's 400 private pre-schools.

"If you look historically at pre-schools in Hawaii, we have the experience, we have the history and we have the expertise to provide the programs that will help children to thrive," Cox said.

One educator said the challenge will be to train enough pre-school teachers.

"Our higher education programs are really going to have to ramp up to meet the demand that is going to be placed on us for this program and we are excited to do it," said Linda Buck, with Honolulu Community College.