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Hawaii Copes With Disruption From School Furloughs

Amid apprehension, anger, and confusion, “Furlough Fridays” have begun in Hawaii. And no one appears particularly set on keeping them around.

Not Gov. Linda Lingle, who, in the face of statewide protests, said she regretted approving the contract that calls for teachers to take 17 unpaid days off this school year and 17 again next year to help plug a $1.1 billion state budget deficit. ( "Hawaii Braces for Educational Impact of Furloughs," Sept. 30, 2009.)

Nor lawmakers and teachers’ union officials, who have called for a legislative solution to end the closures via either a special session or a measure to be approved when the...