(Honolulu, Hawaii, June 6, 2012) – Hawaii HomeOwnership Center has received a $25,000 grant from the First Hawaiian Bank Foundation, according to an announcement today by Bob Harrison, First Hawaiian Bank's president and chief executive officer. The grant represents First Hawaiian Bank's three year commitment to the Hawaii Community Foundation's Stabilization Initiative by supporting the Hawaii HomeOwnership Center's efforts to educate prospective first-time homeowners.

Hawaii HomeOwnership Center provides educational support to first-time homeowners offering them a variety of resources including counseling and online educational classes on lending and homeownership.  They are available for families of any income.

The First Hawaiian Bank Foundation is the charitable arm of First Hawaiian Bank. In 2011, the Foundation and Bank contributed to more than 400 non-profit organizations in Hawaii, Guam and Saipan. The Foundation funds educational opportunities, access to health care, services for children and youth, human service needs, and support of culture and the arts.

First Hawaiian Bank (fhb.com), with assets of $16.1 billion, was founded in 1858 and is Hawaii's oldest and largest bank. As a financial industry leader in profitability, loans and deposits, First Hawaiian Bank has been helping individuals, families, and businesses achieve their financial goals for over 153 years. The bank operates 58 branches in Hawaii, three in Guam, and two in Saipan.