Private schools across the state are being forced to reach deep into their waiting lists or offer more financial aid as Island families feel the pinch of the state's slowing economy.

Most private schools are not reporting dramatic declines in enrollment, but acknowledge they are relying more heavily on their waiting lists to offset the students who are leaving for less-expensive schools or public schools.

"Overall, enrollment is still steady. We were able to garner enough applicants to fill all of our slots that went vacant," said Joe Rice, president of Mid-Pacific Institute. "This year, we went to the wait pool more often than we did in years past."

Tuition at Mid-Pacific rose by $1,000 this year to a total of $16,000, attributed mostly to the rise in teacher salaries. But with Hawai'i's slowing economy, rising fuel and food costs, Rice said handfuls of Mid-Pacific families withdrew students from the school.

"We had a number of families moving to the Mainland for economic reasons," he said.

The widespread effects of the state's economy on high-priced private education is still not fully known. However, many private schools are still accepting students as others filter through their waiting lists, and that is relatively unusual this late in the summer.

Hawai'i's slowing economy also is affecting Damien Memorial School, president Bernard Ho said.

For the past several years, Damien's enrollment was on the upswing, he said. This year, enrollment is down by about 6 percent. Ho said several families were forced to withdraw their sons from the school, while other families sought additional financial aid.

"The loss of jobs from Aloha Airlines has compounded the problem. Half a dozen of our parents were affected," Ho said.

But he said the effects on the school have not reached crisis levels.

"I am not alarmed, frankly, at this dip," he said.

At Punahou School, more families are requesting financial aid than in years past, said spokeswoman Laurel Bowers Husain. But the school, with about 3,760 students, is not experiencing any decline in enrollment.

Punahou's tuition also increased by about 6 percent this year, currently about $16,675.

"I think what we see is that we're still able to fill the school, but that doesn't mean the families aren't feeling a financial impact," she said.

NO DATA ON TRANSFERS

Private schools account for about 18 percent of the total school enrollment in Hawai'i, with an estimated 39,555 students enrolled last year. That's compared with 172,364 students who attended public school.

The state Department of Education does not have data on the private-to-public school transfers, said spokeswoman Sandy Goya. But DOE's preliminary enrollment of about 177,000 students appears to reflect a very slight increase this school year.

Betty White, head of school for Sacred Hearts Academy, said private schools are definitely feeling the squeeze of the declining economy, but she expects the worst may be yet to come.

"With those students who are leaving, it appears the families decided that the options are most likely a public school," White said.

"For us, at this time, it's few. But we are concerned because we don't know what is coming."

White said Sacred Hearts Academy is attempting to increase its financial assistance. The school offers financial aid of up to 35 percent of tuition.

"But for families that are in trouble, the 35 percent is not going to help them," she said.

Maryann Bufalini, a Sacred Hearts parent, said that times have become financially hard for her family but she's still willing to pay the high cost of private school education. She said she is relying a lot more on financial aid.

Bufalini recently sent off her second child to the University of San Francisco and enrolled her youngest daughter, Emma, in the ninth grade at Sacred Hearts.

"It's like $12,000 if you consider fees, uniform and books," she said. "It's a real stretch."

Bufalini, a substitute teacher in the public schools, is receiving as much as 30 percent financial aid support from Sacred Hearts, she said. She's also finding other resourceful ways to make ends meet, from tutoring kids after school to encouraging her children to do work-study to help offset costs.

THE ALOHA EFFECT

St. Andrew's Priory has increased its financial aid budget by 21 percent to accommodate the financial needs of its families, said Sue Ann Wargo, admissions and financial aid director.

"A number of our families were affected by Aloha Airlines. We called them immediately to offer our assistance," Wargo said.

She said the school's enrollment is steady around 500 students. A few spaces are still available, she said.

Robert Witt, executive director for the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, said the organization plans to check in with admissions directors across the state to assess the degree to which private schools are feeling the pinch.

"We have not had much contact with our admission directors since their last meeting in May, but will be in touch soon, and expect to learn more about emerging trends in light of the economic slowdown," Witt said.