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Dancing out an SOS

Protesters stay on 'Save Our Schools' message

		From signs and stickers the message was clear: "Fix it now" -- and protesters called on Gov. Linda Lingle as the one with the most power to find that fix. "She can't just not do anything," said Marguerite Higa, a member of Save Our Schools. "If she doesn't like it, she's got to come up with something better. That's what a leader is supposed to do." More than 100 adults and children gathered at the Capitol after waving signs along South King Street. Joining the activists were state legislators, Board of Education members and gubernatorial candidate Neil Abercrombie. Members of the self-described "Citation Seven" -- the seven adults cited for trespassing in the governor's office Friday night -- wore tags that said, "Cited for caring about education in Hawaii."
Paula Flowe danced to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" during a Save Our Schools Hawaii rally yesterday, the fifth day of protests at the state Capitol. More than 100 people gathered, bearing signs calling for an end to school furlough days. The protesters were joined by state legislators and gubernatorial candidate Neil Abercrombie.

Lingle did not attend yesterday's rally, but she sent a letter to Save Our Schools about an hour earlier.

Her letter said the group's comments in a letter to her were "misinformed," and she encouraged them to redirect their energy to the leaders of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, who have said they will no longer negotiate a solution.

HSTA and the Board of Education want to end furloughs by bringing back all staff at a cost of $92 million. Lingle wants to bring back only "essential" workers for $62 million.

Evan Anderson, 35, one of those cited, said Lingle's letter is a list of excuses and not ideas to patch the budget gap and meet the $30 million difference.

He said Lingle should find creative solutions, not throw her hands up. He added that the HSTA does not have to answer to the public as the governor does.

Higa said participating in the protest over several days has been "exhausting" but worth it because the movement grew.

Furlough Friday protesters waved signs and shouted to motorists along Beretania Street last night during a Save Our Schools Hawaii rally held at the state Capitol. The rally was attended by more than a hundred people calling for an end to Furlough Fridays.