LIHUE — Kauai High School students are taking a stand to change prom dress code regulations and circulating a petition that collected 400 signatures within 24 hours.
Female students hope the school can adopt a more “realistic” dress code for their prom on April 14. They believe the rules are discriminating to girls due to the number of restrictions.
“We believe as students of Kauai High, these absurd regulations on what we get to wear need to change into a more realistic dress code,” the petition says. “These many restrictions on our prom dress are discriminating and insulting to girls due to the number of restrictions put on this and making it even a discouraging time when it should be exciting to find a prom dress when it is so little we can wear. When it is already difficult to find the prom dress we want and in our price range, but these restrictions make it even harder for us.”
Kauai Complex Area Superintendent William Arakaki said Kauai High is collaborating with the school’s students and parents to discuss ideas and recommendations for the prom dress code.
“We value student voice, and this is an opportunity for us to listen to their ideas and work with them on an appropriate solution,” he said.
Student Annie Funaki told TGI that according to the regulations, the slit on the dress may not expose the upper thighs, and backless dresses may not fall below mid back. Also, the dresses may not show “excessive” cleavage, bare midriff or cutouts which expose any bare skin.
“This dress code with this big of restrictions has created a commotion from the students of our school and also the teachers and parents,” the petition says. “The facts are this is 2018, where we are told to be confident in our body, but then you create these restrictions that discriminate us and hypersexualize us to the point that we cannot feel comfortable without the assumption that we are being ‘provocative.’ This dress code fits more of highly conservative standards than a school dress code.”
The petition, as of Friday afternoon, had 400 signatures. Some shared reasons for signing it.
“Students should have a right to wear whatever dress they please. They should be able to feel confident and express themselves,” wrote one person.
“There is no situation in which anyone should be told what they can and cannot especially in the situation where women clothing controls the concentration of men and women,” wrote another. “Teach the behavior you want to see instead of oppressing an entire gender.”
The “Prom Do’s and Don’ts” regulations depict images with unacceptable dress styles and a disclaimer stating: “If you do not follow these dress codes, you will not be able to enter prom and will NOT be refunded. Thank You!”
According to Kauai High’s website, the normal school dress code does not allow students to expose any part of their midriff or their undergarments at any time. Student’s bottoms (shorts, skirts, dress hems) are required to be longer than the length of their arms extended down to their sides with their hands clenched in a fist and/or shorts with a 7-inch inseam.
Drug paraphernalia, gang symbols, obscene words, nudity, and sexually harassing or explicit figures are not allowed anywhere on any clothing article. Questionable attire will be determined whether appropriate or inappropriate by the administration and/or school officials.
The school’s Junior Senior Prom is scheduled at Koloa Landing in Poipu.
Students are not asking for the dress code to be abolished, but to be modified.
“A prom dress does not have any negative impacts on the school and Kauai High School is the only school on Kauai with this many absurd restrictions,” the petitions says. “Kauai High School has had a function on their property that does not apply to the standards put on to this Prom and we ask you to modify rules that we will ask you when we set a more proper guideline to our attire for Prom dresses. We also feel that this is discriminating against us when the male of our school has only 1 to 2 regulations, and that is to not take your shirt off.
“We ask you to please read this and hear our voice, as we try to make a change in something that should not have been done in the first place, and trust our judgment in representing ourselves and this school.”
The online student petition that requests modifications to the prom dress rules can be seen at http://bit.ly/2IebIlU.
