HONOLULU — Arthur “Art” Taniguchi, senior vice president and Hawaii Island regional manager, announced that he will retire from Bank of Hawaii in January, after 27 years of service.
Taniguchi joined the bank in 1991 as the dealer center manager on Oahu, then transferred to Hilo to become the Kaikoo branch manager in 1993. Taniguchi later became the Hawaii Island regional manager, and in 2007, he was promoted to senior vice president.
“Art will always be part of our Bankoh ohana, and he will be deeply missed as the hardworking and committed professional that he is,” said Peter Ho, Bank of Hawaii chairman, president and CEO. “With deep roots in the community, he’s been instrumental and critical to our Hawaii Island operations. We’re grateful to have him for a few more months, and wish him a heartfelt mahalo for all that he’s done for Bank of Hawaii.”
A native of Hilo, Taniguchi has more than 40 years of financial services experience in Hawaii, Japan and in California, including as vice president of retail banking for the former Pioneer Federal Savings Bank and regional manager for AVCO Financial Services.
“I’ve known Art for 15 years, and for nearly three decades, he has been the consummate ambassador for Bank of Hawaii,” added Kevin Sakamoto, senior executive vice president and branch delivery manager. “I wish Art the very best in the next phase of his life.”
During his tenure with the bank, Taniguchi expanded business partnerships and built strong community relationships, stated a press release. He served as president of the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, Japanese Chamber of Commerce &Industry of Hawaii, Crimestoppers Hilo, Inc., Rotary Club of Hilo Bay, Japanese Community Association and East Hawaii Hiroshima Kenjin Kai, as well as chair of the County of Hawaii’s Water Board, among other posts.
Taniguchi was also appointed as the Honorary Consul General of Japan at Hilo in 2010. In 2016, he was also awarded the Small Business Administration’s Financial Services Advocate for Hawaii. Bank of Hawaii branches on both the east and west sides of Hawaii Island were named “Best Bank” in the West Hawaii Today and Hawaii Tribune-Herald in 2016 and 2017.
After retirement, Taniguchi will continue to remain active in the community. One of his immediate efforts will be coordinating the commemoration events of the 150th anniversary marking the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii, which will take place in 2018.
“Bank of Hawaii has been very good to me and my family, and returning home in 1993 was one of the best moves of my career,” Taniguchi said. “The quality of life on our island is second to none. I appreciate all of the contacts and friends we have made throughout the years and will definitely still be very active in the community.”