First Hawaiian To Open In Old Hilo Blockbuster

First Hawaiian Bank plans to open a new Waiakea Branch in the Prince Kuhio Plaza Shopping Center in Hilo, Bob Harrison, First Hawaiian Bank president and CEO, announced Wednesday.

The branch will be located at 111 East Puainako St. in the retail location formerly occupied by Blockbuster Video. Renovations will begin in early 2014 and are expected to be completed by the Fall.

When the new Waiakea Branch opens, First Hawaiian’s Kamehameha Branch at 120 Waianuenue Ave. in Hilo will close. All of the safe deposit boxes will be transferred to Waiakea and many of the branch’s existing employees will transfer to the new location as well. No employees will lose their job, Harrison said in a written statement.

The 6,000 square-foot Waiakea Branch is more than double the size of the existing 2,520-square foot Kamehameha Branch and has more customer parking, Harrison said. The new branch will also feature a 24-hour full-service ATM.

First Hawaiian Bank was founded in 1858 and is Hawaii’s oldest and largest bank with 57 branches in Hawaii, three in Guam and two in Saipan.

First Hawaiian Bank opened its first Hilo Branch in 1910.