Posted on: Tuesday, November 6, 2001

First Hawaiian Bank's AUW pledge hits $1 million

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

First Hawaiian Bank and its employees donated $1 million to this fall's United Way campaign around Hawai'i, pushing the charitable organization nearer to its local goal of $13.6 million.

The $1 million donation was the first time any Hawai'i company has reached that figure, according to First Hawaiian Bank.

"It was really our own employees' generosity that inspired us to go the extra mile to $1 million," said Walter A. Dods, the bank's chairman and chief executive officer.

Irving Lauber, president of Aloha United Way on O'ahu, said the donation was greatly appreciated, especially during the organization's anticipated shortfall three to four weeks ago.

He said the organization is about $300,000 to $400,000 short of its $13.6 million goal.

"We are grateful that First Hawaiian Bank and its employees are once again stepping forward at such a challenging and difficult time for Hawai'i and its people," Lauber said.

"It has been a wonderful three to four weeks. People have really stepped up to the plate."

Dods said he expected the economic fallout from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to hurt their United Way effort. Instead employees rallied and raised $468,000 — 11 percent more than their goal of $421,000, he said.

The company donated the rest of the money for the $1 million total. First Hawaiian has about 2,200 employees in Hawai'i.

Dods said the bank has designated $100,000 each for the Hawai'i Foodbank and Child and Family Services "because they fill the most basic needs — keeping families fed and together."