July 2, 2003

Sharon Shiroma Brown Named President of First Hawaiian Foundation

(Honolulu, Hawaii, July 2, 2003) – Sharon Shiroma Brown, a senior vice president at First Hawaiian Bank, today was named president of First Hawaiian Foundation, the bank’s charitable arm.  Brown succeeds Lily K. Yao, who retired June 30 as president of the foundation and vice chairman of First Hawaiian Bank.  Brown will also take on Yao’s community relations responsibilities at the bank.

“We’re going to miss Lily, who has had a remarkable 35-year career of achievement in banking and did a wonderful job representing First Hawaiian in the community.  We’re fortunate to have an experienced and talented successor in Sharon Shiroma Brown,” said Walter A. Dods, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of First Hawaiian Bank.  Dods is also chairman of the foundation.

Brown, a Honolulu native and graduate of the University of Hawaii, started at First Hawaiian Bank in 1981.  Since 1990, she has headed the bank’s Sales, Service and Training Division.  She will retain that position along with her new responsibilities.

She is a director of the Hawaiian Humane Society and Duke Kahanamoku Foundation and has been involved in volunteer leadership roles with the Sex Abuse Treatment Center, Aloha United Way, Hale Kipa and Hawaii's Junior Miss.

First Hawaiian Foundation is the charitable arm of First Hawaiian Bank, and one of Hawaii’s largest corporate foundations.  During 2002, the bank and its foundation contributed nearly $2.2 million to more than 300 nonprofits.

First Hawaiian Bank ($9.3 billion assets) was founded in 1858 and is Hawaii’s oldest bank.  It has 56 branches in Hawaii, three on Guam and two on Saipan.  It is a subsidiary of BancWest Corporation, the largest Hawaii-based bank holding company, with assets of $34.9 billion.