When noisy repairs on a ruptured sewer line in Waikiki drowned out learning at Ala Wai Elementary school, several businesses came to the rescue and donated $18,500 to make sure these students were in a better position to learn.

Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co., Healy Tibbitts Builders, Bank of Hawaii, First Hawaiian Bank Foundation, Hawai'i Hotel & Lodging Association, Servco Pacific Inc., M & E Pacific, Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa and Hoakea Communications stepped up so the school could get the audio equipment necessary to make sure students could hear their lessons, a task made difficult by the noise from heavy construction equipment outside.

It's just one example of how private companies can make a difference in public eduction.

As the the state Department of Education tries to create equity in distributing funding dollars, it's become clear that the needs are greater than the state's annual allotment. And the Ala Wai partnership shows exactly how private support can bridge the gap by providing some tangible improvements that enhance learning.

To its credit, the DOE's Business-Education Partnership office raises more than $2 million a year in private donations. Lately, that private support has dipped, from a high two years ago of $2.5 million, to $2.1 million last year.

Next month, the DOE will unveil a Web site to make it easier for the public to donate time and money. That's a smart move.

A recent donation from real estate entrepreneur Jay Shidler to the University of Hawai'i's College of Business shows how much of an impact private donors can have on a pubic education institution. UH will use the money — an impressive $25 million — for scholarships, to augment its programs and to solidify an international MBA program with China, among other things.

Elementary and secondary schools, too, are worthy beneficiaries.

If we want our kids to have the best chance to succeed in the future, we must all share in the responsibility of investing in their education at all levels. And as Shidler's example shows, private companies and individuals can make a big difference in improving those odds.