Hawaii public and charter school students can compete for school grants and cash prizes by building real business plans, with a hard registration deadline of September 11.

• American Savings Bank runs KeikiCo, a statewide contest for students in grades 3 through 12.
• Teams find a need in their community, then build a full business plan and video around it.
• Winning schools in the elementary, middle, and high school divisions get up to $25,000 each, with no strings on how the money is spent.
• Top students can also win individual cash prizes up to $500.
• The plans cover budgeting, marketing, startup costs, and rent, giving kids money skills most never learn in school.

Outlook: Registration closes September 11, so schools that want in have to sign up now.