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Kauai religion classes
spur complaint

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By Anthony Sommer
Star-Bulletin

HANALEI, Kauai -- Hanalei Elementary School is violating the Constitution by allowing more than half its students to attend religion classes at local churches during the school day, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii charged yesterday.

But school officials insist the practice falls squarely within statewide guidelines dating to 1947 that allow principals to release students for religion classes for up to one hour a week during the final period of a school day.

Of the school's 176 students, 90 are released every Wednesday afternoon to attend religious training. Most go to Waioli Huiia United Church of Christ and St. William's Catholic Church. They return to Hanalei School at the end of the religion training.

"Hanalei School is using the state's compulsory education system to aid religious groups in spreading their faith," said ACLU Legal Director Brent White, who said he was responding to a complaint from a parent.

According to White, the U.S. Supreme Court has held that releasing students for religion instruction during school hours violates the First Amendment separation of government and religion.

White said he sent a complaint to school officials, and Deputy Attorney General Russell Suzuki responded Monday night saying the practice is legal and will continue.

Suzuki said the only thing the school was doing that was at all questionable was handing out permission slips on behalf of the churches for parents to sign. He said that practice will stop, but the youngsters whose parents want them to be released for religious education will be.

Although White said the children remaining in school were given unsupervised recess, Blake said teachers use the time for one-on-one work, makeup work and similar activities.