[ TEACHER STRIKE ]

Strike probably
depriving needy
students of meals

School officials and the
Keiki Caucus fear that some
children may be going hungry

To get food

By Diana Leone
Star-Bulletin

As it becomes clear that the teacher strike could last more than a few days, people are starting to think about longer-term effects.

One of these is whether students who normally have breakfast and lunch at school will be going hungry.

Of the 150,000 meals prepared each day for Hawaii's public school students, about one-third are free or reduced-price, said Gene Kaneshiro, director of school food services. Students qualify for those meals based on family income.

"We are concerned about the students eligible for free and reduced-price meals as to whether they are getting a nutritious lunch and breakfast currently," Kaneshiro said.

Yesterday, Kaneshiro asked the district office of the U.S. Agriculture Department, which reimburses schools for free and reduced-cost lunches, if funds would be available during the strike. He had not received an answer by day's end and concluded: "We are pretty sure without school officially open ... the federal government probably would not reimburse us to offset the cost of meals. Therefore we could probably not feed the students because there is no funding."

"When school is not in session and there is no educational program, there are no meals," he said.

If some schools eventually open to some grades, those students would be fed, Kaneshiro said, noting that cafeteria workers are not striking. He said that after they have "cleaned the kitchen for the umpteenth time," cafeteria workers may be assigned by a principal to help with clerical, janitorial or other work as needed.

Perishable foods at school cafeterias were returned to vendors if cases were full, Kaneshiro said, or sent to the charter schools, which will continue to be open through the strike.

During the summer, the city Parks and Recreation Department offers lunches at some 27 Summer Fun sites. But the city is not looking at expanding any of its current recreation programs to include meals, said city spokeswoman Carol Costa.

With extra children at home eating extra meals, "I would think some families would need help," said Al Kutara, Hawaii Foodbank agency relations coordinator.

Rep. Dennis Arakaki (D, Kamehameha Heights-Kalihi Valley) said the issue is of concern to the Legislature's Keiki Caucus, which he co-chairs.

"Because these (free and reduced-price meals) are federal programs, I don't see why they couldn't continue to have meals prepared," he said.

If supervision of the children is a problem, perhaps the cafeterias could provide sack breakfasts and lunches, he said.

A clerk at the Waimanalo Health Center said he would expect if the strike lasts that the food bank offered every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the center may get more customers.

"We recognize that for some kids, that may be the only meal they have," Education Department spokesman Greg Knudsen said yesterday.

He said "it doesn't seem likely" that meals will be provided to any children other than those attending school. If plans are devised, he said, "it would need to be done fairly."

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To get food Families in need can find out about the nearest food distribution site by calling Ask Aloha United Way at 275-5000. The service is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. To donate food, call the Hawaii Foodbank at 836-3600.

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