While there has not been a major push for a school voucher program here, many predicted that vouchers could become a hot issue in Hawai'i.

The Hawai'i Association of Independent Schools has been watching the case with interest, while public school officials have said they would oppose any voucher movement.

Remee Bolante, vice principal at Sacred Hearts Academy, a private school, said it would be an uphill battle at the Legislature to approve a voucher program even though many parents would support it.

"I think it would have a big impact on the population here," Bolante said. "There are many parents that are disenchanted with the public schools. If they're given a choice, I think parents would flock to the private schools."

But Karen Ginoza, president of the Hawai'i State Teachers Association, said the union was disappointed in the court ruling and opposes voucher programs.

"We're concerned because funding for public education is very crucial," Ginoza said today. "Especially in Hawai'i when funding is so restricted. We have to make sure public education is supported."

The state constitution prohibits public money from going to religious purposes ­ a point that Ginoza said the union would look at and likely use in arguing against any voucher program.

State Rep. Dennis Arakaki, who has been an advocate of having communities convert public schools into charter schools, said the Legislature so far hasn't taken a serious look at vouchers.

"There are some people who feel it's one way of creating reform in our system," said Arakaki, D-28th (Kalihi Valley, Kam Heights). "But I think poor communities like Kalihi would end up hurting. Those parents who have a great interest in improving education for their children would take advantage of it, which would leave behind kids with greater needs. It might end up creating more problems."

Parents already have one way of moving their child out of their neighborhood school, he noted. "I think in essence we already have a voucher system," Arakaki said. "It's called geographic exceptions." Through the DOE's geographic exceptions program, parents can move their children to a different school as long as there is room there for more students.

Lou Salza, president of the HAIS board, said it's too early to say whether most private schools would want to see a voucher program in Hawai'i.

There are other considerations beyond the financial benefit private schools would see, he said.

"Do the requirements and all the regulations follow that money?" Salza asked. "My worry sometimes is that the rules follow the money, and I'm an independent school. With that money, do they also accept responsibility to run their schools in the way that public system deems appropriate? It's a question that I would ask and I would have a concern about as the head of a school."