Position Statement

We want to build community support to end Furlough Fridays for Hawaii’s 170,000 public school children. We are here to say Enough is Enough! Kids need to be back in school.

Whose side are we on?

The kids! More than a labor negotiation is at stake! Sacrificing the keiki’s education is just wrong! Join with us to stand up and say we love our keiki, we believe they are important, and investing in their future is all of our kuleana.

Why are we targeting Governor Lingle?

Everyone else has come to an agreement except Governor Lingle. Since only the governor can release emergency funds for this fiscal year, Gov. Lingle is holding all the cards. Nothing can happen without her agreement. The legislature has publicly pledged that they will fund the proposal, if the governor agrees to release the funds by April 14.

Why aren’t we criticizing the HSTA, the BOE, and the DOE?

We're mad at everyone! Since September 2009, SOS Hawaii has organized phone and email campaigns to: the teachers union (HSTA) / DOE / BOE / Legislature / Governor. We have pressured:

• HSTA: met with and criticized their leaders, stood outside of HSTA headquarters during contract negotiations, talked to teachers about their contracts, encouraged teachers to call HSTA.
• BOE: presented testimony, and openly criticized BOE inaction at their meetings.
• DOE: presented testimony and criticisms to Superintendent of Schools.
• Legislature: Attended and submitted testimony at many hearings on Hawaii public education, visited, shook hands with, and pressured many legislators. We are especially mad at lack of senate and house leadership.

No party has behaved perfectly, and we’re mad at all of them. However, everyone except Governor Lingle has come to the table. She’s the last hold-out.

It's easy to get mad at the teacher's union when our kids are out of school, however, it is a labor union - and it is doing its job of looking after it's members' salaries and benefits. The HSTA answers to its members; the Governor and our elected leaders answer to us.

What do we want?

Our message to Gov. Lingle is: you are the leader of our state - FIX IT. If Governor Lingle can't resolve the furlough Friday crisis by April 14, then release the funds for the HSTA/DOE/BOE agreement. Step up and lead us out of this furlough Friday madness. Stop making the kids suffer...furloughs must end now!

How can I help?

Speak up! Tell everyone that our keiki are more important than our taxes or our special funds. Join forces with us! Follow our calls for action by email, Facebook, and Twitter:

Save Our Schools Hawaii

Join our listserv on google groups: [1]
Facebook: [2]
Twitter: [3]

Tell Governor Lingle to FIX IT NOW:

Email: governor.lingle@hawaii.gov
Phone: 808 586-0034
Fax: 808 586-0006