When Punahou School senior Jared Toba was assigned a project for his economics class earlier this semester that required him to "address an issue and take action on that issue," it didn't take long for him to decide on his topic.

"I remembered when I was at (Kaimukí) Middle School, I got to play intermediate sports for free," said Toba, who is now on Punahou's swimming team. "I learned a lot about teamwork and responsibility."

So the "issue" Toba wanted to address is the recent state budget cuts that left public high school athletic departments operating with less than 64 percent of their 2008-2009 allocations.

His action: Create a fund-raising event with proceeds going toward the Hawai'i High School Athletic Association's "SOS" (Save Our Sports) campaign, which has so far raised $1,338,773 to help offset the public schools' budget cuts for athletic supplies, equipment, transportation and coaches stipends.

Toba's event, called "Spare Our Sports," takes place from noon to 4 p.m. tomorrow at 'Aiea Bowl. A $10 ticket includes two hours of bowling and shoe rental, and raffle tickets will be sold for a chance at door prizes like gift cards, University of Hawai'i merchandise and Oakley shades.

Specially designed event T-shirts also will be sold for $10 each.

All proceeds will go toward the SOS Fund.

Toba said he and his five group partners already have sold "between 60 and 100" tickets and about as many T-shirts. And in the process, the project has turned into more than just another school assignment.

"I knew going in that I wanted it to be something I cared about," Toba said in a phone interview last night, minutes after drying off from swim practice. "I wanted to do it well."

Punahou's "O-Men" alumni athlete organization also is planning a significant contribution to the SOS campaign, and donation cans have been set up at Buffanblu sporting events.

This past week's SOS Fund contributions include $4,000 from Container Storage Company of Hawaii and Dave Harrington, and $1,000 from Dr. Gary and Mary Kondo.

The SOS Fund eventually will be distributed to Hawai'i's 45 public high school athletic departments based on a formula that accounts for the size of each program and amount of student participation.

To contribute to the SOS Fund, make a check payable to "HHSAA SOS Account" and send it to HHSAA, P.O. Box 62029, Honolulu, HI 96839, or visit www.sportshigh.com