Using paper for a silent auction has been declared so-five-minutes-ago by this year's La Pietra Hoopla annual fundraiser.

So has hovering around one's auction item and running from display to display to update bids, if necessary.

Hoopla is going paperless and high tech for this year with the theme “;Get Smart.”;

Not coincidentally, one of the top auction items this year is a Mercedes-built 2009 Smart Car with fewer than 100 miles on its odometer. OK, it was technically Daimler-Benz AG, the official parental unit.

Other top items include round-trip airfare and five nights' accommodations in London; a round trip for two to Twin Farms in Vermont; a two-night getaway for two at Kona Village on the Big Island; and other, nontravel goodies. Some, such as a 9-foot-long koa veneer surfboard, are not technology-oriented, but others are, such as a Kindle reader and an iPod Touch music player.

The school's Web site has detailed explanations of the travel items and other select auction merchandise, as well as dreamy pictures of what's in store.

“;This is actually the first paperless silent auction in Hawaii,”; said publicist Piia Aarma.

How does she know?

The school is bringing in IML, a global audience response firm that has developed silent-auction technology, to handle Hoopla, and this is the first event it has done in the 808 state.

IML is looking for other Hawaii silent auctions to facilitate, “;but not before ours,”; Aarma chuckled.

Attendees will use a device that looks like a TV remote as well as a smart card to place bids that will be displayed on the devices' screens.

“;So instead of running around or hovering over your item, it's right there,”; Aarma said. When a new bid on the desired item pops up, one can simply tap in a higher bid.

“;That's part of the game; it's very competitive. You kind of hope to make it competitive so that people have fun,”; Aarma said.

Hoopla is set for 5:30 p.m. March 13 on the La Pietra Great Lawn. Registration for the event can be done via wire-line telephone, if one must. However, continuing along the paperless, high-tech theme, RSVPs for the $300-per-ticket event can be completed online.

Proceeds will benefit the La Pietra financial aid program that helps ensure economic diversity at the school, enriching school life for all students, Aarma said.