Once the kids have outgrown summer fun programs, there really are only two options for them: summer school or work.

Our son would add a third: locked in his room/cave playing video games, watching TV, chatting online with friends, and snacking.

Not gonna happen.

Considering his academic performance, he really should be going to summer school. But since the Department of Education shortened its summer break, that's no longer an option on Maui. Even if it were, I'm not sure I would do that to him. He's barely engaged in regular school, and forcing him to spend the hot summer days confined to a classroom would be no better, in his mind, than sending him to summer camp at Gitmo.

So, heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it's off to work he goes.

My own summer employment history includes working as a counselor at youth recreation programs, and a job at a Waikiki clothing store trying to convince sunburned tourist ladies how fabulous they looked in rainbow-colored pleated caftans with matching accessories. I was also much in demand in my Koko Head neighborhood as a babysitter, charging $2.50 an hour and free rein over the fridge. Mostly I was at the beach.

Our daughter, the college student, has spent her summers working at a law firm, as a preschool aide and as a waitress at a Thai restaurant. This summer she'll be working under the Americorps program at Haleakala National Park, gaining experience in her major, environmental management and protection.

That leaves the 15-year-old. He's participating in a leadership program that may or may not result in a job as a youth counselor in a Hawaiian culture program for keiki that he attended for many years. If that doesn't work out, we'll have to network to find him a job cleaning up at construction sites, washing cars or whatever.

I'll say one thing for him: As much as he disdains school, the kid is highly motivated by money and is eager to work. He's also good at saving. In fact, he has better cash flow than his parents, to whom he regularly lends money at exorbitant interest rates.

Maybe someday soon he'll make the connection between education and earnings.