First Hawaiian Bank: Hawaii/Guam

Craig S. Avellar to vice president and program manager, First Investment Center. Avellar joined First Hawaiian in 1995 as an investment specialist. He was promoted to sales manager in 2002 and assistant vice president and sales manager in 2003.
Susan Soken to vice president, Direct Marketing Department. Soken joined First Hawaiian in 1995 as advertising manager. She was promoted to advertising officer in 1997, transferred to direct mail department in 1998 and promoted to assistant vice president in 1999. She is a graduate of Roosevelt High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawaii.
Edwin K. Char to assistant vice president, Deposit Products Department. Char joined First Hawaiian in 1990 as a management trainee. He has held positions as assistant service supervisor, service supervisor, service manager and operations officer. Char is a graduate of Punahou School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University.

First Hawaiian Bank also announced the officer appointments of:

Wesley Suzawa to assistant vice president, Commercial Card Department. Suzawa joins First Hawaiian Bank from Verizon Hawaii. He is a graduate of Waipahu High School, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawaii and a master’s degree from Chaminade University.
Anna M. Kobashigawa to personal banking officer, Kaimuki Branch. Kobashigawa joined First Hawaiian in 1989 and has held positions as customer service rep, private banking assistant, loan representative and personal banker. She is a graduate of Pearl City High School.
David T. Tanaka to investment officer, Trust Investments. Tanaka joined First Hawaiian in 2001 as an investment specialist. He is a graduate of Pearl City High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawaii.

First Hawaiian Bank is a principal subsidiary of BancWest Corporation, the largest Hawaii-based company, with total assets of $38.9 billion.