First Hawaiian opens Pacific One Dealer Center, Oregonnative John Hamilton will run center.

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 31, 1997--First Hawaiian Inc., parent company of Pacific One Bank, announces the opening of the Pacific One Dealer Center auto lending operation in Portland.

John Hamilton, who has extensive experience in auto lending in the Pacific Northwest,

Pacific One Dealer Center will be headquartered at 5665 SW Meadow Rd., Suite 250, in Lake Oswego. He will also oversee First Hawaiian's existing Dealer Center operation in Irvine, Calif.

Portland-based Pacific One Bank opened in June 1996 with 25 branches in Oregon and one in Idaho. Bill Williamson, Pacific One's president and chief executive officer said that Hamilton "brings a tremendous level of knowledge and expertise to the Pacific One Dealer Center. The new Portland operation will complement First Hawaiian's strong auto lending centers in Hawaii, Guam, and Southern California, as well as Pacific One Bank's presence in Oregon Washington and Idaho."

Hamilton previously worked for Security Pacific Bank in Portland from 1983-92, including five years running its indirect auto lending operation as first vice president and Dealer Center manager. He attended Eastern Washington College.

Hamilton said that long-time automobile industry executive Dwane Brenneman will assist him in managing the Pacific Northwest operation. Brenneman, who retired last year as president and chief executive officer of Nissan Motor Corp. in Hawaii, is a vice president of Pacific One Dealer Center. He is an Oregon native who attended Albany Union High School and Oregon State University before attending the University of Hawaii.

Hamilton joined First Hawaiian after serving as president and chief executive officer of National Financial Corp. He has also served as first vice president and Dealer Center manager at Security Pacific Bank in Oregon. He is a past member of the Oregon Bankers Association.

First Hawaiian Inc. (NASDAQ SYMBOL: FHWN) is a bank holding company with assets of $8 billion. Its principal subsidiary is First Hawaiian Bank, the oldest (founded in 1858) and one of the largest banks in Hawaii. Other major subsidiaries include Pacific One Bank, with 25 branches in Oregon and one in Idaho; Pacific One Bank, N.A. with eight branches in central Washington; Pioneer Federal Savings Bank, with 19 branches in Hawaii; First Hawaiian Creditcorp Inc., one of Hawaii's largest financial services loan companies; and First Hawaiian Leasing Inc. which is primarily engaged in commercial equipment and vehicle leasing and financing.

CONTACT: Pacific One Dealer Center

John Hamilton, 503/684-6388