Banking Pays Off For Schools

Two area schools have won $50,000 each from American Savings Bank, following a Bank for Education campaign last fall to open new personal accounts and then designate a favorite school.

Saint Louis School, Kamiloiki Elementary School in Hawaii Kai and Our Lady of Good Counsel in Pearl City were grand prize winners for earning the most designations.

Presentations were held last week at both East Oahu schools.

“Kamiloiki is excited to have won the grand prize award for our category,” said principal Susan Okano. “The money is a blessing and will be used to support our school initiatives, such as the International Baccalaureate and Math and Science/Technology programs.”

Duke Aiona, executive vice president at Saint Louis, said the $50,000 windfall will support robotics, performing arts, band, drama and visual arts at the Kaimuki Catholic school.

The bank’s CEO Rich Wacker said the three schools’ high level of faculty and community support pushed them to the winners circle.

“Above all,” Wacker said, “mahalo to our customers for supporting the more than 200 schools that are receiving cash awards through Bank for Education.”