Hawaii prom pair takes second for duct tape garb

Hawaii Baptist Academy prom couple Kelvin Abe and Kailie Grinder won second place in the national "Stuck at Prom" Duck Tape scholarship contest.

The recent graduates were among the top 10 finalist couples vying for the top prize in the national contest, which challenged high school prom-goers to deck out their outfits in duct tape and submit photos. Winners were chosen via online voting.

Abe and Grinder will each receive $3,000 for their rock-glam outfits inspired by Lady Gaga, and their school will receive the same amount.

The first-prize couple, receiving $5,000 each, were Lara Ford and Cole Sudduth of Desert Ridge High School in Mesa, Ariz.

6 local schools win garden grants from Whole Foods

Six schools from Oahu and Maui will receive $2,000 in grants from the Whole Kids Foundation to build or expand upon their community and school gardens.

The schools are Ke Kula ‘o Samuel M. Kamakau in Kaneohe, Kainalu Elementary in Kailua, Makaha Elementary and Waikiki Elementary, all on Oahu, and Kihei Elementary and Kihei Charter School on Maui.

Each school also will receive a how-to garden book, a digital garden kit, organic seed packages, discounts for gardening supplies, and mentoring and support from FoodCorps, which will help the schools build and sustain their gardens.

The nonprofit foundation, created by Whole Foods Market, is extending $2 million in grants to more than 1,000 schools and garden-related nonprofits throughout the country. The organization also encourages installation of salad bars in schools, use of fresh fruits and vegetables, and health and nutrition education.

Free Red Cross app offers emergency first aid pointers

The American Red Cross has developed a free app for iPhone and Android users that offers simple lifesaving information.

The Red Cross First Aid app provides step-by-step instructions on how to respond to the most common first-aid emergencies including choking, bleeding or helping someone who is unconscious. The app also provides safety and disaster preparedness tips, and includes videos and interactive quizzes. Users who take quizzes can earn "badges" they can share with friends through social media to show off their lifesaving knowledge.

Red Cross officials said the first-aid app is not a substitute for classroom training. Visit www.redcross.org/takeaclass to register for a first aid course.

A separate app for iPhones only, American Red Cross: Shelter View, shows the location of open emergency shelters throughout the country, including shelter capacity and population.

Stone supplier Bella Pietra wants to help nonprofits

Bella Pietra, which sells natural stone material for indoor and outdoor use, is holding a contest that will award a nonprofit agency or community group a design and installation package worth $10,000.

Entry forms, available at www.bellapietra.com, should be submitted by Aug. 11. Bella Pietra, at 701 N. Nimitz Highway, will post the three semifinalists on its Facebook page for public voting Aug. 20 through Sept. 5.

The second- and third-place winners will each receive a design package worth $1,000.

UH offers info on controlling scourge of termites

Homeowners can get tips on how to prevent and control termites ata free public seminar sponsored by the University of Hawaii’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

An estimated $100 million is spent in Hawaii annually to control and repair termite damage. UH termite expert J. Kenneth Grace will lead the seminar from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 26 at Windward Community College. There will be a question-and-answer session following the presentation.

Registration is required; contactWindward Community College Continuing Education at 235-7433 or goo.gl/mYq8b.