In Hawai'i, most of the school buses are contracted from private companies and there are no plans to put advertising on the buses that they do have, although the Board of Education is considering allowing advertising of some sort in the schools.

The Hawai'i BOE will consider all these issues as it debates whether to allow advertising in some form in the public schools, an idea supported by member Garrett Toguchi and chairman Randall Yee as a way for schools to generate extra revenue.

Department of Education spokesman Greg Knudsen said while the intent is good, the board will have to consider where to draw the line on advertising.

For instance, one idea being batted around is that companies be allowed to sponsor positive messages encouraging health and nutrition and study habits, rather than just advertising themselves.

The question then would be what kinds of companies would be allowed to be sponsors. It's common sense to ban cigarette and alcohol-makers, but it is not as black-and-white when considering soft drink and electronics companies, Knudsen points out.

"You have to draw a line somewhere and that's where it may get a little trickier," he said.

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.