A rite of passage for Hawai'i fourth-graders — going to the Big Island for hands-on Hawaiiana learning — may be a victim of a slowing economy and changing educational priorities.

While many schools organized the trip as usual this year, some ended the tradition.

Students at Mililani Waena Elementary School had their trip to the Big Island canceled this year when not enough of them signed up because of costs.

And at Ka'ahumanu Elementary School, reaching state assessment standards is far more important than giving students the experience of traveling without Mom and Dad, said Principal Glen Miyasato.

"In the past, we did go to the Big Island," Miyasato said. "But with the standards we're trying to achieve with the students, we're taking local field trips that match the standards. We go on the Hokule'a or the Bishop Museum."

Still, parents of fourth-graders who can afford to send their children say the trip is worth the money and that their children gain much from traveling with classmates on the three- or four-day trips.

"It was a fabulous experience," said Mary Jean Bresnan, a Koko Head Elementary School parent whose son took a fourth-grade trip to the Big Island several years ago.

At 'Aina Haina Elementary School, students rotate their trips among the Neighbor Islands to teach them about the different island personalities. Parents generally aren't allowed to accompany the students, said Roz Chun, a parent.

"The idea was to teach the kids to appreciate the parents," Chun said. "It was great. Each child had a responsibility. One was responsible for picking up the room at the hotel. Another to bring quarters to tip the maid. It was good."

Cheryl Borney, a mother of a fourth-grade Koko Head student, said her daughter is all ramped up for her trip May 5-7. This will be the first time 9-year-old Rachel will travel without any parental supervision.

"I'm sure it will be fine," Borney said. "It will be a growth experience for her, an opportunity for her to be responsible for herself."

The class has sold chili tickets to raise money and parents could pay for the $500 trip in payments, Borney said.

At Le Jardin Academy, teacher Debbie Smith, other adults and 59 fourth-graders who are 9 and 10 years old went to the Big Island on March 17-20.

The private school's fourth-graders go annually to focus on geology, botany and early Hawaiian culture.

"The re-emphasis is on their personal independence," Smith said. "In our school, we don't take parent chaperones, only teachers and staff. The trip teaches them how to be responsible for themselves and accountable."

The trip is expensive, Smith said. Each parent ponied up $300 and the school funded the other $300 per student for the three-night, four-day stay at Kilauea Military Camp.

"We call it a rite of passage," Smith said. "We've even given them a certificate called 'Pele's Rite of Passage.' "

Not all schools are as lucky, said Ed Oshiro, 'Aiea Elementary School principal. Money is a big issue for the parents of his students.

"We'd love to go see the Big Island, but we don't have the funds," Oshiro said. "I wish we did. It's too expensive for our kids to travel."