In an era in which the focus is often on having a grand vision and a comprehensive solution, it's important to recognize that a smart idea needn't be a huge idea nor one that grabs the big headlines.

Sometimes, it's the little ideas that yield the most practical and best results — particularly when it comes to making a difference in a community.

So it's great to see Mayor Mufi Hannemann award some $40,000 in "bright idea" grants to winners of a competition for the best small-scale ways to develop Chinatown and the emerging arts district.

Revitalizing Chinatown is a big idea in itself, and an important piece in developing the city's urban core. The competition for small ideas to buttress the big vision revealed a variety that ranged from practical to downright brilliant.

Take Kelfred Chang's idea to create an ethnic movie night in 'A'ala Park similar to Sunset on the Beach. Or Helene Bron's idea to paint murals on some Chinatown buildings. JoDee Hunt wants to install plaques on corners of historic buildings.

Val Yanagihara has an ambitious idea to develop the area into more of a tourist spot by beautifying Nu'uanu Stream with a pedestrian mall and a bridge that connects Pauahi Street to 'A'ala Park.

Then there's Kim Coffee-Isaak's practical but important idea to make parking in Chinatown more accessible, convenient and affordable. She wants to explore the use of high-tech meters, pre-paid parking cards and cellphone-paid parking.

All 10 winners will now work with the city and funding sources to make their ideas become reality. And that's the real beauty behind these small ideas.

Big ideas of the "pie-in-the-sky" variety tend to take years to achieve.

Bright ideas don't stay dreams for long.

Let's hope the speed in which these ideas came forward continues as the development of Chinatown moves ahead. Bit by bit, each one has the potential to bring Chinatown to life and make a difference.