Central Pacific Bank Helps 1,050 Keiki Get Ready to Learn and Awards Ipad Minis to Three Essay Contest Winners

HONOLULU, HI August 19, 2013 – Central Pacific Bank helps 1,050 low-income Hawaii keiki return to school with the basic supplies needed to help them succeed. Throughout the month of July, Central Pacific Bank partnered with Helping Hands Hawaii to collect school supplies and monetary donations for the Ready to Learn program.

In conjunction with the school supply drive, Central Pacific Bank invited children ages 11 and under to participate in an Essay Contest for a chance to win an iPad mini. Keiki were asked to submit an essay in 250 words or less, answering the question, ‘Why is school important to you?’

“Every year Central Pacific Bank continues to bring not only more energy, but also increased creativity to the table in getting the word out about Ready to Learn,” said Jan Harada, President & CEO of Helping Hands Hawaii. “That creativity and energy reflects CPB’s true desire to help those children whose families are struggling to make ends meet.”

The essay contest winners in the three age groups are: Kyle Hasegawa of Manoa (6 years old and under category), Henson Cheung of Aiea (7-9 years old category), and Chanel Tanoue of Mililani (9, 10 and 11 years old category). They each received an iPad mini and an Alex stuffed animal.

"Congratulations to the three young authors who submitted the winning essays in our Ready to Learn contest. Their well-written essays embody what the campaign is all about - the importance of a quality education," says John Dean, president & CEO of Central Pacific Bank.

Ready to Learn is a recognized program by the State of Hawaii’s Department of Education. As part of the program, Helping Hands Hawaii works with government agencies, social service agencies and community organizations to distribute the donated school supplies to students in kindergarten through high school statewide.