Bank of Hawaii Volunteers and SimpliFi Athletes Teach Financial Class to Middle School Students

Hawaii volleyball, beach volleyball and basketball stars traded the court for the classroom on Wednesday to volunteer with Bank of Hawaii for Financial Literacy Month at Princess Ruth Keelikolani School. The SimpliFi Athletes joined 50 Bank of Hawaii employees to teach financial literacy to the entire student body.

All 335 students in grades six through eight were treated to an interactive lesson on the importance of saving money and understanding the difference between “needs” and “wants.” It’s not uncommon for students of this age to have little understanding about the life-long impacts of money management, and Bank of Hawaii embraces the opportunity to share these essential lessons with youngsters every April during Financial Literacy Month.   

SmartMoney Lesson Day is an engaging exploration of the concepts of money, designed to promote personal financial education in middle and high school. The program provides age-appropriate curriculum to help youth learn the basics of handling their money and finances, including how to create positive relationships with financial institutions. Since 2009, Bank of Hawaii has provided unique financial educational opportunities every year to public schools across the state of Hawaii and West Pacific region, only pausing temporarily due to the pandemic.

Bank of Hawaii’s SimpliFi Athletes serve as ambassadors to spread goodwill throughout the community. Bank of Hawaii has a deep commitment to the University of Hawaii Athletics. In 2020, the bank announced a 10-year, $5 million sponsorship of the UH Athletics Department that included naming rights to the center, now called “SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.”