With the fewest number of public school instructional days in the nation, Hawai‘i parents, teachers, students and legislators are working to fight “furlough Fridays.”


“I’m afraid the students on the bottom will fall out of the system,” said Fern Elementary teacher Shannon Ka‘a‘a, who attended an Oct. 23 rally at the Capitol.


The new Hawaii Government Employees Association contract may have repercussions for WCC students, but plans are being made by the college’s administration to minimize possible problems.


Part of the HGEA contract includes 13 furlough days: specifically, the day after Thanksgiving, the week before Christmas, the week before New Year’s and spring break. 


A free event to share information on scholarship opportunities for Native Hawaiian students will be held Wednesday, Dec. 9 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in Hale ‘ Ākoakoa. The groups represented include Alu Like, the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, Kamehameha Schools, Liko A‘e and Manawa Kūpono scholarship programs and others.


The session will cover criteria, the application process and other guidelines. Dinner and child care will be provided.


It’s safe to say that most students, at one time or another, have blown off one subject to meet the requirements of another. Juggling homework and trying to meet deadlines with a full class schedule can be a bit frustrating.

For you science majors out there, WCC has a solution.

Take a look at other highlights for spring:

T/TH 9:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

This studio course focuses on acrylic painting, with an introduction to some basic drawing techniques and color theory. It is appropriate for all students, from beginners to advanced artists. It is a fun course to “discover the artist in you.”

On furlough Fridays, WCC students who are parents find themselves between a rock and a hard place. 


They can come to school with their children, make arrangements for daycare or miss class.