You're right.  Attending private school in Hawaii is a "choice" made by parents for their children.  It is a choice that also happens to purely benefit the public school system, eliminating the cost burden of educating any particular Hawaii private school student, because they would otherwise be attending a public school at a cost to the State.  Zero tax deduction or other economic benefit is provided for private school child.   Yet, the government affiliated OIA targets Hawaii citizens, and children no less, in an effort to PREVENT their increased and ostensibly earned participation in a school based activity.    Why?  Jealousy and resentment.  Two things we NEVER want to be the basis for governmental action.  Yet, in this case, those things are clearly at play, and the government actors are openly denying citizens access.   Yes.  To punish, and assuage sense of inadequacy, and take attention off the fact that private schools are preferred at almost the highest rate in the nation.