[ TEACHER STRIKE ]
Where to turn
for assistance
Star-BulletinChild care help
>> Ask Aloha United Way has information for parents about statewide childcare resources. Call 275-2000 on Oahu and 1-877-275-6569 on the neighbor islands from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.>> Kamaaina Kids has strike-care sites throughout the state. Call Kamaaina Kids at 262-4538 or go to its headquarters at 156-C Hamakua Drive in Kailua.
>> Easter Seals of Hawaii accommodate special-needs children, including the severely disabled. Care is provided from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Easter Seals' headquarters at 710 Green St. Call 536-1015, ext. 240.
>> Call PATCH (People Attentive to Children) for statewide referrals for child-care services, including baby-sitters or small group settings. Oahu number is 839-1789.
>> Kokokahi Gymnastics Team in Kaneohe, which normally offers gym camps during school vacations, is offering daily child care 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays "for as long as the strike lasts," said program director Mik Nelke. Cost is $25 per day per child. Call 235-6866.
>> Palama Settlement has room for 50 children in its day-care program. Cost: $10 a day. Call 845-3945, ext. 2504.
>> The Movement Center, a performing arts school, has room for 30 children. Cost: $50 a day. Call 735-8641.
>> The Young Buddhist Association of Hawaii has 40 available spaces at its Pali Highway location. Care is provided from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at $15. Care until 5 p.m. cost $20. Call 537-6954.
>> The YMCA has about 750 spaces at nine sites. Call 531-3558 for phone numbers at various locations. Cost: $20 a day.
Strike hotlines
>> Department of Education strike updates are recorded on an information line at 586-INFO (586-4636) on Oahu. Neighbor island callers can use the following toll-free numbers followed by 6-4636: 974-4000 on the Big Island; 274-3141 on Kauai, 984-2400 on Maui; and 1-800-468-4644 on Molokai and Lanai. The department says that starting Saturday morning, this should include information on school openings for the next school day.>> The Hawaii State Teachers Association's strike hotline has recorded updates for the general public on negotiations and other information for teachers. Call 833-2711, ext. 300.
>> The University of Hawaii has updated recorded messages on its hot line at 956-4560. Neighbor islanders call toll-free at 1-866-898-5161.
On the Web
To find out more about the teacher and faculty strikes, check these Web sites:>> Department of Education: http://doe.k12.hi.us/strike/
>> University of Hawaii: http://www.hawaii.edu/strike
>> State government (Gov. Ben Cayetano): http://www.hawaiistrike.com
>> Hawaii State Teachers Association: http://www.hsta.org/
>> University of Hawaii Professional Assembly: http://www.uhpa.org/strike/
[BRIEFLY]
Most of the 39 Head Start classrooms on Oahu public school campuses are still open.But the staff of the early learning program had to scramble to feed the youngsters at some locations, said Kathy Minami, program manager of the Honolulu Community Action Program Head Start office. Lunches are prepared in public school cafeterias for the preschoolers at all 76 Head Start locations on Oahu, including those at other facilities. It was hit-and-miss around the system, Minami said, with the decision made by individual cafeteria managers.
>> HSTA Web site
>> UHPA Web site
>> State Web site
>> Governor's strike Web site
>> DOE Web site
