Bankoh shuffles executives

The bank promotes several executives in its ongoing plans to streamline operations

Bank of Hawaii yesterday announced a number of changes in its executive suite.

Vice chairman Dave Thomas -- one of several executives who came aboard in 2001 under then-Chairman, President and CEO Mike O'Neill -- will be leaving, with his retail banking division to be taken over by Chief Banking Officer Peter S. Ho.

Ho, who joined the bank in 1993, also will head up retail banking in addition to commercial banking and investment services.

Several other promotions will add new members to the bank's managing committee.

Kathy Fujihara-Chong has been promoted from executive vice president to senior executive vice president and manager of the business banking division. Thomas "Tom" J. Koide has been promoted from executive vice president to senior executive vice president and manager of the Hawaii Branch Division.

Shelley Thompson, already on the committee, was promoted from senior executive vice president and chief fiduciary officer to vice chairman.

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Bank of Hawaii yesterday announced several high-level promotions and appointments as part of its ongoing integration and streamlining plans.

Peter S. Ho, vice chairman and chief banking officer, will now head up the company's retail banking unit in addition to commercial banking and investment services.

Ho, who joined the bank in 1993, is taking over retail banking from vice chairman Dave Thomas, who expects to leave the bank in the near future.

Thomas, who joined the bank in 2001, was one of several vice chairmen brought in by Mike O'Neill, then chairman, president and CEO. O'Neill stepped down in September 2004.

Bankoh spokesman Stafford Kiguchi said Thomas was originally hired to refocus the bank's retail business on its core market in Hawaii and Pacific islands, and that the goal has been accomplished. His employment contract was to last no longer than February of next year.

No exact departure date has been set for Thomas yet, Kiguchi said.

Ho, a member of the bank's managing committee and its board of directors, is a rising star, assuming responsibility for the bank's Hawaii commercial banking group in 2003, and then the investment services group in 2004 before becoming chief banking officer.

Several other promotions, meanwhile, as well as new titles, were also given to other executives at the bank.

Shelley Thompson, senior executive vice president and chief fiduciary officer, has been promoted to vice chairman. She will be responsible for the investment services unit, which includes international client banking and retirement plan services.

Kathy Fujihara-Chong has been promoted from executive vice president to senior executive vice president and manager of the business banking division, becoming a member of the bank's managing committee. She will continue to oversee the business banking division.

Thomas "Tom" J. Koide has been promoted from executive vice president to senior executive vice president and manager of the Hawaii branch division. He will also join the bank's managing committee.

Senior executive vice president Wayne Hamano will add another title, chief commercial officer, to his existing one. Executive vice president Stephanie Saito has added the title of deputy chief commercial officer.

Thompson, Fujihara-Chong, Hamano and Koide will report to Ho. Saito will report to Hamano.

"These officers have contributed to Bank of Hawaii's strong financial performance," said Bankoh chairman and CEO Al Landon. "We look forward to their ongoing contributions."

Thomas's departure follows that of vice chairman Neal Hocklander, who was in charge of operations and technology in June of last year, as well as former chief financial officer and vice chairman Richard Keene earlier this year. Hocklander retired, and has since moved to the mainland, while Keene became chief financial officer of Queens's Medical Center.