RICHARD TATSUO OKINAKA / 1921-2005

City Bank president
came up through ranks

Richard Tatsuo Okinaka started as a mail room clerk at First Hawaiian Bank and ended up as the president of City Bank.

Richard Okinaka: He "never lost his touch with the rank and file," according to Walter Dods

Throughout his banking journey, though, he never forgot his roots.

"Richard was one of the great old-time bankers," said Walter Dods, chairman of First Hawaiian parent BancWest Corp. and the former chief executive of the company. "He started from the bottom and became a senior executive for First Hawaiian, but never lost his touch with the rank and file."

Okinaka, 83, who also served on the board of directors at City Bank, died Monday at the Queen's Medical Center. He was preceded in death in January by his wife, Michiko Matsui Okinaka.

The veteran banker, who started at First Hawaiian's predecessor, Bishop National Bank, on Sept. 1, 1940, spent nearly 38 years there. He retired as senior vice president on March 1, 1978.

Shortly after that, he went to City Bank, where he served as president from 1979 to 1989.

"He was a people person," said Wayne Miyao, a City Bank senior vice president during Okinaka's 10 years at the helm. "He took interest in the employees and he could balance between business development and operations. He really took care of our customers and was well-liked by our customers."

Okinaka, born in Papaaloa on the Big Island on Dec. 4, 1921, also served as assistant treasurer on the Iolani School Board of Governors and was involved with long-range planning for the school.

He was the founder of the Wai-Kahala Athletic Club, a board member and past president of Organ Donors of Hawaii, past board member of Kuakini Health Systems, founding board member of the Plaza Club Hawaii, and a participant on various committees at Waialae Country Club.

Okinaka also served in the Army in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Company K. He earned a Silver Star, two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star.

He is survived by sons Stan and Aaron and one granddaughter.

Visitation will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Alban's Chapel at Iolani School, with the service to follow at 4:30 p.m. and the reception at 5 p.m. Attire is casual. Burial will be private.

Parking is available from Kamoku Street. Arrangements are being made by Hosoi Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Iolani School, c/o The Richard T. Okinaka Family Scholarship Endowment.