Parents and children are staging a sit-in protest at the governor's office to demand an end to school Furlough Fridays.
They arrived at the governor's office after school, crayons, snacks, even blankets and cots in hand, ready to wait it out to get their point across.
"We wanted a lot of people to come so that the government know that, wow, a lot of people care about furloughs, they don't want them," said Waikiki Elementary second grader Kailee Corrie.
Thirteen Furlough Fridays already, four more to go, and parents losing patience.
"As involved parents, we know what a quality education looks like for our children and this is not it," said parent Joann Marshall with Save Our Schools. "Our children should not be used, should not be considered collateral damage in a political fight."
"We've made deliveries to the HSTA, the BOE and the DOE, so we've sent our message to everyone that we want this to end now," said parent Marguerite Higa with Save Our Schools.
At issue is a more than $90 million price tag the teacher's union has put on ending furloughs. The governor wants to spend more like $60 million.
"I'm always open to discussion but the state is limited by what we can afford, and we've put forward what we believe is a generous and affordable at this time," said Governor Linda Lingle on Tuesday.
A measure is still alive at the capitol to use an undetermined amount of money from the hurricane relief fund, but the governor, union and Board of Education have to agree by April 12.
"That was their deadline. We'll just wait and see how the legislative session progresses. A lot can happen in a very short time at the Legislature," said Lingle.
Lawmakers hope both sides will find some room to compromise.
"The only way we're going to be able to do that is if the hsta and governor budge a little more," said Rep. Lynn Finnegan, the House Minority Leader.
But budging may mean sacrificing the remaining Furlough Fridays this school year to get the cost down.
"That's the school year that I truly believe we should be addressing. So from that $92 million, if it drops down to the next fiscal year which starts July 1, that will be a beginning point by which the unions and the governor can have some talk and negotiation," said House Speaker Calvin Say.
