Published: October 30, 2009

Hawaii Schools Are Open for Custodians

HONOLULU (AP) — Even without kids to feed or classrooms to clean, Hawaii cafeteria workers and janitors are reporting to work on Fridays when schools are closed statewide to save money.

Unlike furloughed teachers, custodial employees will still be on the job Friday for the second of 17 planned school closures because they haven't yet reached a new labor contract. The closures gave Hawaii's public schools the shortest school year in the nation.

Instead of cooking, cafeteria workers will clean the kitchen or do prep work. Janitors will wax floors and whack weeds instead of...