ASB Awards $140,000 to Winners of 2022 Bank for Education KeikiCo Business Plan Competition

American Savings Bank (ASB) announced the winners of its 2022 Bank for Education KeikiCo Business Plan Competition. Nearly 400 students grades 3 to 12 participated in the KeikiCo Contest, which started in 2015 and runs annually.

“This year’s KeikiCo participants inspired us with their innovation, imagination, creativity and commitment to bettering our community,” said Ann Teranishi, president and CEO at ASB. “We are grateful for the opportunity to support young leaders and entrepreneurs with financial education resources and mentorship opportunities to help build a stronger and more diversified economy.”

High School Division First Place Winners: Nanakuli Intermediate & High School

Students form teams of two to five students to showcase their best business plan ideas before a panel of esteemed judges for a chance to win up to $25,000. ASB volunteers provided teachers and advisors with a video curriculum, online resources and mentorship.

“The KeikiCo Contest allows students to investigate and explore topics that they’re curious about and provides a unique opportunity for them to learn the fundamentals of business, while finding solutions realistic solutions for our community,” said Ruth Fletcher, head of school and president at St. Andrews School, this year’s 2nd place and special mention winner in the Middle School Division. “The contest is valuable for students because they can see how their contributions can positively affect our future.”

By participating in KeikiCo, students have the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship and marketing while gaining critical thinking skills needed to launch and sustain a successful business in Hawaii.

ASB named 1st and 2nd place winners in three divisions – elementary, middle and high school, as well as one People’s Choice award for each division, selected by public voting on video entries. As an added bonus, 12 special mention awards were given out this year to honor business plans that received special praise from judges.

Bonus Cash for Winners
This year, ASB sweetened the deal and gave all winning students a $250 cash prize to invest in their future education. ASB will also match, up to $250, the net amount that their account balance increases in a 90-day period, following ASB’s $250 deposit.

2022 KeikiCo Contest Winners

Elementary School Division

• 1st Place ($25,000): Ernest Bowen de Silva Elementary School, I&S Bracelets
• 2nd Place ($15,000): Ala Wai Elementary School, Go Fish Go
• People’s Choice ($5,000): Konawaena Elementary, ALOHALife Vending
• Special Mention ($500): Ala Wai Elementary School, Air Buddies
• Special Mention ($500): Ala Wai Elementary School, ChillOutz
• Special Mention ($500): Ala Wai Elementary School, Dirty Air Destroyers
• Special Mention ($500): Ala Wai Elementary School, Ocean Jewelry
• Special Mention ($500): Konawaena Elementary, JC Jobs

Middle School Division:

• 1st Place ($25,000): Maui Waena Intermediate, Seaglam
• 2nd Place ($15,000): St. Andrews School, Eco Ocean
• People’s Choice ($5,000): Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle, Kamaaina Coffee & Pastry
• Special Mention ($500): Maui Waena Intermediate, Hooked on Yarn
• Special Mention ($500): Maui Waena Intermediate, Mental Health Matters
• Special Mention ($500): Maui Waena Intermediate, Trash to Treasure
• Special Mention ($500): St. Andrews School, Emalani
• Special Mention ($500): St. Andrews School, S&K Tableware

High School Division:

• 1st Place ($25,000): Nanakuli High School, Scrappahz Union
• 2nd Place ($15,000): McKinley High School, Aloha Safety App
• People’s Choice ($5,000): Pearl City High School, PC Wallet
• Special Mention ($500): Pearl City High School, Anonymous Hope
• Special Mention ($500): Pearl City High School, Mongone

Once a school wins a prize from the KeikiCo Contest, they become part of ASB’s Bank for Education Ohana. This exclusive group receives invaluable perks, which include opportunities to apply for additional grants, volunteer service projects performed by ASB teammates, priority consideration for scholarships and internships and more.

Since the Bank for Education program began in 2010, ASB has donated more than $1 million to local schools.

Middle School Division Second Place & People's Choice Winners: St. Andrews School

Elementary School Division Second Place Winners: Ala Wai Elementary School