An update on the Friday furloughs that will give Hawaii the shortest school year in the nation: Last week, on the first of the statewide school furlough days, parents protested outside the state Capitol building.

That prompted Republican Gov. Laura Lingle to say that she regretted approving the contract agreement. "Looking back on it now, I assumed that they would do what was in the best interest of the students, and I don't think they did," she said. "I don't think their decision was in the best interest of the students."

That prompted the state teachers union to fire back, charging that the furloughs were the governor's idea.

I hope students in Hawaii are watching the drama. Whether they are in class or not, it's a great lesson in politics.