(Honolulu, Hawaii, May 4, 2012) – Carrie K.S. Okinaga, currently a senior vice president in the bank's legal department, has been promoted to general counsel and named to the bank's Senior Management Committee, according to an announcement today by Bob Harrison, First Hawaiian Bank president and chief executive officer. 

Okinaga replaces William E. Atwater, executive vice president and general counsel, who retired on March 31, 2012 after 13 years at the bank.  

"We are pleased to have someone with Carrie's extensive background and breadth of experience leading our legal team," Harrison said.   

Okinaga was previously the Corporation Counsel for the City & County of Honolulu, from 2005 until June of last year. Prior to that, she was a partner with the law firm of McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon, LLP, specializing in litigation and employment law for 12 years. 

She earned a bachelor's degree in Government/Public Policy from Pomona College and a law degree from Stanford University.  As part of her ongoing service to the community, she is currently on the board of directors of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART).  She is also a member of the American Judicature Society, the American Bar Association, and the Hawaii State Bar Association.  She is a former Pacific Century Fellow and serves on the Stanford Law School Board of Visitors.