In a similar way, the EAST program based in Arkansas provides training for students, setting up a computer lab with the newest in software but with a requirement that the public support it with money and services. The Tech Ready campaign also will seek money to maintain the program. The new Kea ' au High School on the Big Island also has signed on for the program and is seeking public support. The students pinpointed sites and used geographic information systems to map significant cultural and historic sites, trails and even water sources for fighting fires in native Hawaiian plant preserves. The students, including 18 from Lahainaluna, Maui and Kea ' au, developed presentations to be put on a Web site with information on historic elements of the Halemau ' u trail in Haleakala National Park, important resources in Maui preserves maintained by The Nature Conservancy, historic sites in Lahaina and sections of West Maui shorelines subject to erosion.
All work is performed in and remains in the server.
Apana said the Sun Ray system will ease communications within schools and among schools around the county. Maui District School Superintendent Paul Brown can immediately message students and teachers in every classroom on the three islands through the system, Apana said. Teachers can post homework assignments, send in reports to school administrators and communicate with other teachers instantly, he said. It also will allow parents better access to their schools, he said. A key attraction is that the Sun system can be easily upgraded through the servers.