First Hawaiian Bank employees last year pledged a record $578,840 to benefit 36 local charities in Hawai'i, Guam and Saipan as a part of the bank's Kokua Ma'i campaign.

Nine out of every 10 First Hawaiian employees participated in the campaign, which means "to help others."

"This year we celebrated our bank's 150th anniversary and honored the giving tradition started by our founder, Charles Reed Bishop. I am very proud of our employees," said Don Horner, First Hawaiian Bank president and chief executive officer.

"The level of participation by the First Hawaiian 'ohana during these economic times is a strong expression of the aloha that the employees have for their communities," Horner said.

First Hawaiian Bank and its foundation is the largest corporate contributor to nonprofits in Hawai'i. In 2007, the Foundation contributed more than $3.5 million to benefit 350 charities throughout Hawai'i, Guam and Saipan.