EDITORIAL
Project Grad ideals are not for one night

One of the brightest trends to catch on in Hawai'i is Project Graduation, the all-night alcohol- and drug-free graduation celebration.

From just a few schools at first, the idea has now spread to as many as 45 high schools, public and private.

These affairs are not easy to produce. They won't work if they are simply a glorified lock-down after graduation. They must be fun, mysterious, exciting and even rewarding.

The events, held nationwide, are most often organized by parents, whose main concern is to keep their children off the roads. More people ages 16 through 20 are injured or killed between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. during graduation season than at any other time of year.

There is nothing sadder than celebration turned to tragedy because a new graduate is on the road that night, exhausted or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

And there will be many more graduation parties and get-togethers to come in the weeks ahead. Graduates, their families and friends should honor the goals of Project Graduation by making sure that those other festivities are equally rewarding, equally safe.