Kualapuu El NCPCCS

Susan Essoyan, Star Advertiser

As schools of choice, startup charter schools must attract students to survive.

They depend largely on per-pupil money from the state, and without enough enrollment to cover their overhead, they risk going out of business.

"If you look at charter schools across the country, on average 10 percent of charters are revoked each year," said Rep. Roy Takumi, chairman of the House Education Committee. "Why? It's because they are meant to be experiments. There are going to be some successes and some failures.

Susan Essoyan, Star Advertiser

As the number of students in Hawaii's charter schools grows, so has concern about oversight of these diverse campuses that rely on public money but are exempt from many state regulations.

Susan Essoyan, Star Advertiser

KUALAPUU, Molokai » A Molokai native with a magnetic smile and a bold spirit, Principal Lydia Trinidad hasn't been afraid to lead her alma mater, Kualapuu School, onto new terrain, with dramatic results.

"Lydia doesn't let the unexplored scare her — she's smart about being daring," said parent Kalae Tangonan, an orange hibiscus tucked in her hair. "She's definitely innovative, always open to new ideas."