Press Releases
From Save Our Schools Hawaii
[edit] 1000 Voices Allowed to Stay
January 30, 2010
Re: Response to Breaking News
SOS Hawaii is pleased that the Office of the Governor and the State Comptroller are no longer pursuing removal of the children's artwork and other written expressions from the walls of the Capitol. We hope that Hawaii residents will go to see the "1000 Student Voices" display to judge for themselves whether such a fuss was necessary. The exhibit will run until Feb. 26th. Submissions are still being accepted at www.sos808.org
"We are happy that, in the end, the State Comptroller's office recognized the value of free speech," said Jill Tao of Save Our Schools Hawaii. "Providing a venue for the children's voices is what this is all about."
Also, SOS Hawaii is grateful for support from concerned members of Legislature and the Governors' staff in the wake of the order issued Thursday to dismantle the permitted "Student Voices" display. . "The order to take down the exhibit came as a complete shock," Tao said. "These were submissions to a call for students to express their feelings on Furlough Fridays."
Despite today's news about the display, the ongoing problems tied to public school furloughs and the apparent low-value placed on public education remain. SOS Hawaii, along with many of Hawaii's families and community members, urge our leaders to quickly and competently address these issues. Our children represent Hawaii's future. Return our keiki to the full school weeks they deserve. Tomorrow, Jan. 31, will mark 100 days since the first Furlough Friday, Oct. 23, 2009.
[edit] DAGS orders removal of Student Artwork from Captiol
January 28, 2010
One week after unveiling the "1000 Student Voices about Education" exhibit at the State Capitol, Save Our Schools Hawaii was today ordered by the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) to remove the exhibit.
The exhibit is a collection of student expressions and artwork about Furlough Fridays and education in general. SOS Hawaii obtained a permit from DAGS to display the "Student Voices" exhibit from Jan. 21 through Feb. 26.
DAGS officials have not specified the reason behind the order other than to note the action was prompted by "complaints." SOS members are puzzled by DAGS action and, for the sake of fairness and clarity, will continue to ask DAGS officials to specify their reasoning behind their action. It appears that in addition to silencing the voices of students — voices that have been virtually absent from the ongoing Furlough Friday debate — DAGS is blatantly violating First Amendment rights.
About two months ago SOS Hawaii put out the call out for student perspective on Furlough Fridays. The submissions reflect a wide range of emotions, from sadness and worry about the future to anger toward our state leaders. Many children understand that the state is in a time of economic difficulty but, by and large, question the decision to close schools. SOS also received submissions from students who like Furlough Fridays. Those submissions are included in the ongoing project. Participants — kindergartners to college-level students — are from all over Oahu, from Waianae to Hawaii Kai, Ewa Beach to Kaneohe.
Members of SOS will be present at the State Capitol tomorrow, January 29 from 9-11am with the "Cookies for Classrooms" rally to protest Furlough Friday #9.
December 3, 2009 1000 Student Voices Press Release
