CLASSY DRESSERS

By Ken Ige, Star-Bulletin
Kailua Intermediate students, from left, Deanna Kennett,
Erin Sheller, Cristin O'Malley, Anne Holloway, Kili Fern and
Mia Goldblatt, all 13, wore the new uniforms
on the first day of school yesterday.

Clothes make
the grade

Isle schools are updating their
dress codes, and uniforms are in

By Debra Barayuga
Star-Bulletin

Uniform T-shirts, aloha shirts, dress shorts and skorts are in.

Oversized pants that expose underwear, shirts or accessories that promote violence, drugs and sex, backless tops and bare midriffs are out.

Public schools across the state are setting stricter guidelines on what students can wear to school, saying it promotes a better learning environment and does away with the "haves" and "have nots."

Most schools have some type of dress code, but newer clothing styles have made it necessary for some schools to re-examine and up-date their policies.

Kailua Intermediate yesterday and Moanalua Intermediate today joined Waiakea High, Kamalii Elementary and Lahaina Intermediate in implementing uniform policies. Waipahu Intermediate and Pearl City High have beefed up their dress codes and other schools appear to be following suit.

Research shows students behave based on the way they are dressed, said Lorraine Henderson, principal at Kailua Intermediate. "If students are dressed in a positive, appropriate and dignified way, looking like ladies and gents, it will create more of a mindset to focus on learning," she said.

The Kailua Intermediate campus yesterday was a sea of blue and yellow as students strolled on campus for their first day of school in uniforms. Teachers were similarly attired in navy blue skirts or polo shirts and T-shirts imprinted with the school logo.

Henderson, who greeted students and parents yesterday wearing a aloha print skirt and polo shirt, refers to the new styles as a "line of clothing," rather than uniforms.

Even students say the choices offered are not much different from the styles they would wear, except they don't flaunt well- known designer labels, and colors are limited to blue, yellow and white. Otherwise, they're casual and comfortable, designed for Hawaii's climate.

Kailua Intermediate's clothing line includes aloha shirts, board shorts and elastic waist shorts and skorts, which are shorts with a panel in front for girls. The clothes feature a royal blue and yellow plumeria print -- the school's colors. The same pieces also come in a reverse aloha print.

Tops include unisex T-shirts with the school logo or a band of blue plumeria running across the chest and solid white or blue polo shirts with the school's surfrider logo. Blue jeans are allowed, but cannot be too long or baggy.

"I think it's OK," said 13-year-old Anne Holloway, who regards the mandatory uniforms as more of a stricter dress policy.

"It could be worse -- like pink shirts and gray plaid skirts."

Classmate Cristin O'Malley, was relieved jumpers and long pants in navy or olive did not make the cut. Another classmate, Erin Sheller, was decidedly against the uniforms, although they were not far off from the typical shirts and shorts she used to wear. "I was happy the way they were before," she said, but conceded she could live with the uniforms for a year.

Parent Piilani Meyer was elated that she saved money on son Kalani's wardrobe this year. She spent about $75 on three complete outfits, compared to $250 each on her other two sons.