WHEREAS, big dreams, determination, hard work, long hours, intelligence, talent, and a sense of humor explain WALTER A. DODS, JR.’s rapid rise from a mail boy and "dead files" clerk to one of Hawaii's most powerful and influential leaders; and

WHEREAS, since an early age, WALTER A. DODS, JR., had already demonstrated great energy and capability, as he pumped gas to work his way through high school, juggled several jobs to help pay for his St. Louis High School tuition, and then attended night classes to obtain a business degree from the University of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, WALTER A. DODS, JR., had a distinguished 36-year career at First Hawaiian Bank where he began as Director of Advertising and Public Relations, worked his way through management in every part of the bank, and was named its President at 43 years of age, making him one of the youngest presidents in the nation for an institution of its size; and

WHEREAS, with his breadth of knowledge, negotiating skills, and vision, WALTER A. DODS, JR., expanded the former small community bank, negotiating First Hawaiian Bank’s acquisition of First Interstate Bank of Hawaii in 1991, and Pioneer Federal Savings Bank in 1993; and

WHEREAS, with his foresight and collaborative leadership style, WALTER A. DODS, JR., modernized First Hawaiian Bank and improved its efficiency by updating its computer systems, consolidating back-office functions, and creating a call center; and

WHEREAS, WALTER A. DODS, JR., always kept in tune with the needs of his First Hawaiian Bank employees, and even pioneered a ShareCare program that provides employer-sponsored matching grants and tax benefits for those with dependents; and

WHEREAS, during Hawaii's tough economic years in the 1990s, WALTER A. DODS, JR., showed his confidence in Hawaii's future potential by constructing the First Hawaiian Center, a new $175 million headquarters and the tallest building in Honolulu at 430 feet; and

WHEREAS, WALTER A. DODS, JR., expanded First Hawaiian Bank’s reach to the mainland after negotiating a merger with San Francisco-based Bank of the West in 1998 and renaming First Hawaiian’s parent company to BancWest Corp.; and

WHEREAS, WALTER A. DODS, JR., used his business acumen to oversee BancWest’s expansion into 17 additional western and mid-western states; and

WHEREAS, with his charisma, energy, and leadership, WALTER A. DODS, JR., transformed First Hawaiian Bank into the largest and most profitable Hawaii-based company and a multi-state powerhouse whose holding company, BancWest, is one of the 25 largest bank-holding companies in the United States; and

WHEREAS, WALTER A. DODS, JR., was named to other leadership positions in the business community and became trustee of the Estate of Samuel Mills Damon, Hawaii’s largest private landowner, became the only banker from Hawaii to be elected president of American Bankers Association, and was elected to the Federal Advisory Council to U.S. Federal Reserve, which advises the Federal Reserve Board on banking industry issues; and

WHEREAS, WALTER A. DODS, JR., has contributed his time and talents to serving numerous community organizations, including the Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawaii, The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, East-West Center Foundation, Hawaii Visitors Bureau, and Aloha Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and has spearheaded fundraising efforts for local nonprofit organizations such as the Blood Bank of Hawaii and Aloha United Way, for which he helped raise a record $19.5 million during its 1989 drive; and

WHEREAS, WALTER A. DODS, JR., after years of serving with such vision and distinction, retired as First Hawaiian Bank's Chief Executive Officer on December 31, 2004; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, that this body hereby commends and applauds the many accomplishments of WALTER A. DODS, JR., and extends to him its warmest aloha and best wishes for continued success, health, and happiness during his retirement years.

Report Title:

WALTER A. DODS, JR.; RETIREMENT