HONOLULU -- A group of parents and students protested Friday at the state Capitol against furlough days for schools.

A crowd of about 50 people lined the front of the Capitol building. The group protested against cuts to children's education. Members said it is not a solution to the budget crisis.

Frustrated parents said their children are starting to ask more questions that they cannot answer and legislators must find the solution.

"There has to be a clear message that education is a priority in this state and we will not be the state with the least instructional minutes for our children of anywhere America," parent Liam Skilling said.

Schools face losing 17 days of class time because of furloughs to teachers and school personnel. Friday was the third furlough Friday in a row.

Children have expressed a loss of interest in education since it is not important enough to keep them in the classroom, some parents said.

"They're really thinking they're trying to figure it out but it doesn't make sense to them," parent Marguerite Higa said. "We want them to believe that school is their job and that it is so important and yet we have to tell them that there's not enough money to open school what kind of message is that?"

Along with protesting every furloughed day, Skilling said he plans to write letters and make calls to legislators to stand up for the value of education.