Two protesters were arrested last night at a sit-in in Gov. Linda Lingle's office, and after eight days Save Our Schools ended the demonstration aimed at ending Furlough Fridays.

Last night, Clare Hanusz, an SOS member, said the decision to end the sit-in was made after they heard Lingle's response to their requests and realized the group wouldn't “;get leadership from her in resolving this important issue.”;

The comments came after the number of SOS arrests rose to four, prompting criticism by some elected officials.

The two arrested last night were Marguerite Higa, 42, a University of Hawaii assistant professor of zoology, and Teresa Kessenich-Chase, 28, a UH political science graduate student. Both were charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass and taken to Halawa Correctional Facility for processing by deputy sheriffs.

  Hawaii furlough arrests gain national attention

 

KITV4's Dick Allgire brings us details on the two furlough protestors arrested at the State Capitol.

 

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  Furlough Friday protests move into second week

 

KITV4's Paul Drewes brings us the details from day 8 for the Furlough Friday sit-ins.

 

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In reaction to the four arrests, House Finance Chairman Marcus Oshiro said the governor's handling of the protest is “;embarrassing,”; adding, “;It should never have happened.

“;I think it's embarrassing for the governor to have parents and students hauled off to jail for seeking redress,”; said Oshiro (D, Wahiawa-Poamoho).

“;It's a cruel and ineffective way to try to find a resolution.”;

Oshiro said Lingle can unilaterally end the protest by releasing money to finance the remaining four Furlough Fridays in the school year ending in June.

He said Lingle should sit down with the Hawaii State Teachers Association and Board of Education and continue negotiating until a resolution is reached to fund the 17 Furlough Fridays planned in fiscal 2010-2011.

The governor was not available to comment.

The Board of Education and teachers union have proposed a supplemental budget of $92 million to fund 21 Furlough Fridays this school year and next. But Lingle has said she is unwilling to fund “;nonessential workers”; and wants a lower funding level, but the union won't negotiate.

Five others, cited for trespassing last night for either the first or second time, were not arrested.

At a news conference yesterday, Save Our Schools members criticized Lingle for refusing to talk with them and describing them as a small group.

Save Our Schools member Joann Marshall said her group will begin focusing their efforts upon other government officials, including gubernatorial candidates, since it appears that the Furlough Fridays issue will not be resolved while Lingle is in office.

State Board of Education member Donna Ikeda, who visited the sit-in, said she wanted to show her support and attacked Lingle's handling of the protest. “;I think it's a disgrace the governor hasn't ended it sooner,”; she said. “;All she had to do was listen to the people, you know, listen to their concerns and talk to them.”;

Those cited for the first time were Teri Heede, 55, and Jeff Gere, 56. Protesters cited a second time were Chesley Burrus, 25, Candace Fujikane, 43, and Shain Miller, 25.