Bank of Hawaii opens Tamuning branch, built on island roots and navigating forward
Bank of Hawaii officially relocated its Hagåtña branch to its new Tamuning location on July 14.
Michael S. Sakazaki, West Pacific market president at Bank of Hawaii, told the Journal that every element of the new branch was inspired by Western Pacific culture, a design unique to the Tamuning branch.
Bank of Hawaii opened its Tamuning branch on July 14. Photo by Skyler Obispo
The bank’s exterior is shaped like a canoe — a tribute to the seafaring history of the Micronesian people, Sakazaki told the Journal.
Inside, the design continues with Micronesian stick chart patterns seen on the bank’s wall decor and hanging above its “pili rooms”.
Sakazaki said the spaces are where bankers will help their customers with everything from opening accounts to loan inquiries. Each room is themed around a different aspect of banking, he added.
The seafaring cultural design highlights the branch’s overall theme of navigation.
Sakazaki told the Journal that Bank of Hawaii wants to help its customers “navigate to a better financial future.”
Outside of its cultural inspirations, the interior features an open concept design to welcome customers as soon as they walk in.
Buensuceso Bank of Hawaii’s lobby leaders are also available to customers to assist them with their banking, including booking appointments.
The new branch measures somewhere between 16,000 to 18,000 square feet, Sakazaki said and also houses Bank of Hawaii’s business partners, collections department, and local call center. Altogether, more than 80 employees work at the new location.
In addition, the location features 82 parking stalls, making it easier for customers to find parking.
Jennifer Buensuceso is the vice president and branch manager of the Tamuning branch.
She has been with Bank of Hawaii for 16 years and told the Journal that she feels excited about the branch relocating from Hagåtña.
“It’s bittersweet, because we did leave our home, [the] Hagåtña branch, but coming into a new branch, we know that it’s going to open up new doors, not only for our team, but for the customers and the community,” she said.
The move signals trust from the community, Buensuceso said. Trust that was built through community outreach and strong customer relationships. mbj
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