First Hawaiian Bank

Flew in from LA with Hardcopy Durable Power of Attorney for my mother and the bank is trying to tell me it «can’t» be recognized by the bank. Escrow, Chase, Car Dealer recognizes it. Holding up a line of eight people waiting for customer service. They were hoping I would give up. As Renee Graziano in Mob Wives says «You want to go to war with ME???»

Attempted to open a business checking account here. Was denied because the business account rep and her manager thought my company was internet only and they don’t work with those types of businesses. I assured them that it was a legitimate business and although we offered online marketing services we were a new local marketing and revenue management agency with prominent local clients and proceeded to show them all necessary incorporation paperwork as well produce checks for the initial deposit from established local brands. They staff was rude and continued to deny our request essentially calling us liars. They were simply incompetent and we went next door and opened an account with Bank of Hawaii who was wonderful to work with and very receptive.
No Aloha, bad bank and branch, dark and stuffy inside. My recommendation: AVOID.

I came in today and was almost instantly greeted as I put my name on the waiting list to open a new account. It didn’t take long before I was greeted by Ryota Takuma, who was extremely friendly yet professional throughout helping me set up a checking account.
He kept everything comprehensive yet detailed enough without boring me while making sure I had all the info I needed. After asking me if I had any other questions and going through all the things I did need to know, he ran off to take care of the deposit and set some papers up which seemed to take less than a minute.
Before I knew it, my account was all set up and I was ready to go. After shaking hands with Ryota and exchanging thanks and farewells, I was happily on my way.
Highly recommend requesting Ryota Takuma if you ever need any help with accounts!

When you sign up for online banking, be careful of an option for bill pay. it doesn’t tell you any other information, but it will charge you 6 dollars each month whether or not you use it. I have gone into the tellers to ask them about what the fee was for and they did not tell me straight forward answer and took me months to figure out what it was. It’s very unethical way of doing business. They should have disclosed exactly what the service was especially if that would cost us. I don’t appreciate businesses when they try to make money by fooling the customers. Very disappointing.

Meh. I’ve experience better… and definitely did not get scolded by the parking lot attendant either.
So if you haven’t noticed but this FHB is located on the strip, meaning parking is hellish when you’re just trying to deposit your pay check. Luckily there’s this little underground parking lot with 6 stalls dedicated to the FHB CUSTOMERS… or so I thought. So let me break it down to you:
1. 30 min parking for FHB Customers (As written on the sign plastered to the wall)
2. Get ticket stamped by teller
3. Go back to car and return the stamped ticket to parking lot attendant
Simple right? That’s what I’ve always thought! Which is why I loved going to this branch because I work right next door at the café.
So I’m a full time student and work about 30 hours. So being able to pick up my check and deposit it within 30 minute before heading back to class and then work till 11pm, I was always thankful FHB was right next door. And that’s exactly what I did last Friday. However… something different happened this time around. I picked up check which took just a little longer than I expected and when I stepped into the bank, there was a horrendously long line that I waited in. Nonetless, it took up to an hour, which I was bothered by because I knew I’d have to pay for that extra ‘30min’ that I spent. I was fine, as long as I got to deposit my check.
As I headed back to my car and was about to hand my ticket to the attendant and pay the difference he says to me, «Sorry but you’re banned from parking here and I have to write you up. You can’t just go galavanting around while parked here.» I laughed and said, «You’re not serious right? I always park here… if I’m over 30 min, I’ll pay.» He replied, «Sorry but I already warned you last time-​» and I cut him off because he sure damn well hadn’t said sh! t to me before. I explained to him and talked to him… but he bottom line said, «Sorry but our ‘big eyes up there’ says you’ve been doing this and I have to report you.» I was just like fine whatever.
FHB, I love your service inside the bank… but it’s just amazing how you make other people do your dirty work. There was NOTHING on your sign that says, «NO GALAVANTING WHILE PARKED HERE.» Because as far as I remember, if I have an account with you and I’m depositing my checks into the account that I have with you guys, I’m a customer. Am I not? Am I wrong people?
Anyways, UnilocalERS, there are MUCH BETTER FHB’s around. ones that have an unlimited parking space, with more than a 30 minute alloted time to park, and FHB’s that don’t tell you you’re «BANNED» and have to get «WRITTEN UP».
This will definitely be my last time visiting this branch, ever. Taking my paychecks and money somewhere else, even if I have to drive to it, because at least I won’t get «BANNED» and «WRITTEN UP» like I broke a law that didn’t even exist.
** The two stars definitely belongs to the three helpful and friendly tellers that I enjoy seeing. Not the actual branch.

While BOH might not appreciate it when people talk about FHB I always say «that’s my bank.»
It was that time of the month… no not that one. The time of the month to pay my credit card bill and working the same hours as the bank is not always the greatest thing. Low and behold this FHB branch is convenient, pretty speedy (except if you go at lunch) and courteous. I noticed the last time I went in there were a couple of name tags that had trainee teller but they were very nice and processed my bill payment.
Tip: Go before of after the lunch rush.

hands down one of my favorite and most convenient FHB’s on the island.
all the tellers and personal bankers are SUPER friendly and polite.
it always goes like this:
wake up
grab breakfast with grandma
forget to take my cash out of my pocket before hitting publics or kaimanas
hit FHB on kalakaua along the way to beaching it?
no one complains when i come in, shirtless, barefoot, and carrying my board!
sorry for making a mess,
even all wet and sandy no worries. all smiles! :)

FHB: great bank. I’ve been a satisfied customer for 10 years, no complaint. This branch is convenient, offers everything you’d need, is open during office hours, and has 2 ATMs out front. Can’t ask for more.
Where they do lack – majorly – is their annoying predisposition to unproffesional chattiness. Since I drop in frequently to this branch, I can’t count the number of times I’ve overheard them discussing dates, where they went, which clubs were going off and where they’re going out that night… in front of customers.
I could let that pass, except there have been times when I’ve witnessed the lengthy convo at the expense of receiving service. So as I’m waiting in line for them, I get a glare that means, «*Sigh* you’ve interrupted us.» The only way I’ve found it possible to rectify the situation is to reach for one of the teller comment cards.
Please save it for your lunch hour, or at least when no one’s around. This is a place of business, not a day spa.

I’m finally a Hawaii resident and making this place my permanent home. So I guess I had to start off by getting my finances in check. Where to go?
But of course, to the largest bank in the State of Hawaii, First Hawaiian.
They are number 1, trust me. The representative says it’s unfair for them to be matched up against even Bank of Hawaii. Reasoning is they are the largest, even combining all the banks together. Pretty cool, huh?
I had superb customer service there. It’s nice, wide open and beautiful in this bank. There are no glass windows, just genuine face to face contact. Just in case I can’t find my way around my new neighborhood, there is a ATM in every single 7 – 11 stores.
I got the «totally free checking» and because they were having a promotion, I got a free Large pizza from Papa Johns. So no fees for anything that I was concerned with, totally free. The catch is, you must have this account open for at least/​about 4 months.
I like convenience… This is as good as it gets. Good service, nice smiles and rest assure that my pocket change is SAFE. hehe =)