Giving Back is in their DNA

For decades, First Hawaiian Bank has been a leader in charitable giving in Hawaiʻi. Whether it is through donations, employee volunteer time, or sitting on nonprofit boards of directors, community stewardship has always been a priority.

“It’s part of our DNA. We believe the community is us, and we have an obligation to give back,” says Gina Woo Anonuevo, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer. “I don’t look at it as a strategy because it’s something we naturally do.”

The First Hawaiian Bank Foundation makes contributions to more than 400 agencies each year, focusing on health and human services, education, and culture and the arts. The Foundation works hands-on in the community by assessing funding needs and the amount of impact a project will have.

“Giving is a long-standing tradition within the bank’s culture,” says Cameron Nekota, Executive Vice President & Division Manager. “I feel we have a corporate responsibility to take the time to understand what’s going on in the community and where the needs are. As one of the largest corporations in Hawaiʻi, we want to make the biggest impact we can.”

First Hawaiian Bank employees are also highly engaged in giving back to the community through funding and volunteering. The bank’s Kōkua Mai program is entirely run and administered by employees in-house, which allows 100% of proceeds go to the nonprofits.

“Giving back is a team-building exercise for the entire company,” Nekota says. “I feel it’s critically important for everyone in the organization, in some way, shape, or form, to have a connection to the community. That starts from the top down.”

It’s not just about giving funds, it’s about getting involved.

Photo: courtesy of First Hawaiian Bank

“At First Hawaiian Bank it starts with ‘Yes’ and we are the ‘Yes’ bank,” Woo Anonuevo says. “That means ‘Yes’ to serving in our community, ‘Yes’ in donating funding, and ‘Yes’ in supporting many events by bringing family and friends on a weekend to do whatever you need us to do.”

Nekota agrees.

“By giving, it brings us closer to giving everyone involved a sense of purpose. It strengthens our employees’ ties to the community, and they are proud to say ‘I’m a part of First Hawaiian Bank.’”

Sponsored by First Hawaiian Bank, Member FDIC.