Bank of Hawaii Vice President Steven Kaneko thinks customers will find plenty to like about the new Kona Banking Center. Bank of Hawaii Vice President Steven Kaneko thinks customers will find plenty to like about the new Kona Banking Center.
Bank of Hawaii Vice President Steven Kaneko thinks customers will find plenty to like about the new Kona Banking Center.
“It’s a very open and bright environment. We hope when people come inside they feel the warmth and aloha spirit for our staff, as well as enjoy and take advantage of the convenience of this one-stop shop for financial services,” said Kaneko, who is also the center’s manager.
The 7,000-square-foot center, located in the Kona Commons shopping center on Makala Boulevard, opened June 11 and the response has been “really positive,” he said. This is the first neighbor island “super” banking center, which integrates the company’s experts, who deliver everything from wealth management services in trust, investments and private banking to individual and institutional clients, in one convenient place.
With 29 employees, the center offers a full range of consumer and business banking products and services, including checking, savings, loans, credit card applications and safe deposit boxes. There’s also a 24-hour lanai with two ATMs and a night depository for businesses.
Another feature is the Bankohana premier window for high-valued clients only, Kaneko said.
Currently in the design phase, the photovoltaic system on the roof also makes the center unique. Besides helping with electricity costs, it shows Bank of Hawaii’s ongoing commitment to sustainable renewable energy and reduced oil dependency, he said.
The center replaced the former 8,700-square-foot branch on Palani Road, which consisted of two offices, including a former doctors’ office.
Bank of Hawaii spent 20 years in that location. Though great, it had underutilized space, Kaneko said.
Bank of Hawaii decided to move to Kona Commons, about a mile away, because of the opportunity to design and build a place that could specifically accommodate West Hawaii customers’ needs and better suit its banking operations.
It also made sense to move the branch northward to be closer to the area’s growing community and future growth, Kaneko said.
Bank of Hawaii has more than 10 branches on Hawaii Island, including four in West Hawaii.
The company, which has more branches than any bank in the state, began planning the new center last year. Construction took four months. Hilo-based Isemoto Contracting Co. did the build out while Honolulu-based Maryl Group completed the exterior work, Kaneko said.
He could not provide the center’s cost or the total customers served, saying the information is proprietary.
To celebrate the center, Bank of Hawaii is holding a grand opening from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 25. Executives from Honolulu will be present.
There will be a formal program at 10 a.m., refreshments, a keiki hula performance and a chance to receive a $500 KTA Super Store gift certificate.
The event will also offer numerous promotions, such as a free check order when opening a checking account and a $10 KTA gift certificate for opening a $1,000 savings account.
The center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Call 326-3900 for more information.
