The Pepsi Refresh Project has selected the Niu Valley Community Association’s idea “A playground where kids can enjoy unbridled play & adults work out!” for a chance to receive a $25,000 Pepsi Refresh Project Grant.  Last month, the Association’s playground design became a top 10 finalist, beating out 50 other communities’ designs, to win $15,000 in a social media contest from the Dr Pepper Snapple Group and national non-profit KaBOOM!. 

"Hawaii has shown that it has a vibrant social media network that will flex its muscle to get behind a good cause", said Peter Kay, the Association’s Vice Chair, "This is not the first time that Hawaii's online community has won an online contest and it's gratifying that as a community, we can successfully compete at a national level."

 Adult & Pediatric First Aid & CPR/AED, get trained to recognize and care for victims of illness and sudden injuries and life-threatening respiratory or cardiac emergencies in adults, children, and infants and learn how to use an AED; American Red Cross certification upon completion; 8:30am-4:00pm;January 11, 14, 21, 31; classes are based on availability and subject to change.  American Red Cross, 4155 Diamond Head Road; $110; register online at www.redcross.org or call 1-800-733-2767.

The Waikiki Aquarium partnered with the Hard Rock Cafe for a beach clean up on Dec. 3.

Members of the community were invited to Friday morning to participate in the clean which was held at Sandy Beach - Makapu'u.

The quarterly event was sponsored by the Waikiki Aquarium.