American Savings Bank has presented $190,000 to 18 Hawaii schools as part of its Bank for Education KeikiCo Contest.

The business plan competition was held for the first time this year. The bank has contributed more than $1 million to public and private schools across the state since its Bank for Education program was launched in 2010.

The KeikiCo Contest provides an opportunity for Hawaii’s third- through 12th-grade students to earn prize money for their school by turning their ideas into business plans, according to a press release. Teams of two to four students came up with an innovative product or service and developed a business plan and video pitch. The competition included five award levels: first place, $25,000 per division (three winners); runner-up, $15,000 per division (three winners); county, $10,000 per county (four winners); people’s choice, $5,000 per division (three winners); and special-mention prizes of $2,500 each for six schools.

“We know Hawaii’s keiki are full of great ideas. We developed KeikiCo with the goal of nurturing Hawaii’s next generation of entrepreneurs. Innovation is important to the future of our state, and the work of these talented students reflects the creativity and imagination thriving in Hawaii’s schools,” said Rich Wacker, bank president and CEO.

Junior Achievement Hawaii provided entrepreneurial training to interested schools, and 160 teams participated.

>> In other recent grants and awards:

The African American Diversity Cultural Center Hawai‘i has received a $24,500 Institute of Museum and Library Services federal grant.

The award will fund the 2016 Bridging Cultures Lecture Series “Early Africana Settlers’ Contributions and Impact on Hawaiian History,” allowing the center to reach out to the community and raise awareness about early “Africana” settlers in Hawaii.

Albert Broussard, professor at Texas A&M University, will be the keynote lecturer Feb. 4 at the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Art Auditorium. The lecture series will take place at universities, public schools, churches, military bases, museums and cultural centers throughout the islands.

>> The Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii has received an in-kind donation of products worth more than $30,000 from T&C Surf and Vans. The donation, which includes backpacks, T-shirts and socks, was delivered to children at the Hale Pono Clubhouse this week. Pro surfer and T&C Surf team member Kekoa Bacalso and pro surfers and Vans team members Nathan Florence and Wade Goodall were on hand to sign autographs and distribute gifts.

“It’s not often that two amazing companies such as T&C and Vans are able to come together for the enrichment of Hawaii’s most precious resource, our keiki,” said Tim Motts, president and CEO of Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii. “T&C and Vans have done just this with their generous donation of backpacks and clothing to children who otherwise are unable to afford such essential items. The Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii is grateful for this important support and investment in our future generations.”