Central Pacific Financial Adds New Board Members

Wayne Kamitaki and Saedene Ota. Photos provided by Central Pacific Financial Corp.

Central Pacific Financial Corp., parent company of Central Pacific Bank, recently announced the appointment of Wayne Kamitaki and Saedene Ota as directors of the boards of CPF and CPB. The appointments will increase the number of directors on both boards from nine to 11.

Kamitaki is the CEO of Maui Varieties Ltd., a holding company, which, through various subsidiaries, owns and operates Ace Hardware and Ben Franklin Crafts stores throughout Hawai‘i, and in Washington, Oregon and Las Vegas, Nevada.

The holding company also owns, operates and/or invests in numerous other commercial business ventures.

Kamitaki, a Hawai‘i Island resident, is chairman of the board of the Hawai‘i Japanese Center in Hilo, and also serves on the board of the Hawai‘i Academy of Science, and the Board of Governors of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i.

Ota is the owner and creative director of Sae Design Inc., a graphic design and visual marketing agency headquartered on the Island of Maui. She is also the principal owner and manager of Maui Thing LLC, a lifestyle apparel company.

In her over 22 year career, Ota has received numerous design, graphics and marketing rewards and recognitions.

Ota, who resides on the Island of Maui, serves on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i, Maui Economic Development Board, Nissei Veterans Memorial Center and Wailuku Community Association.

“I am confident that both Wayne and Saedene will add tremendous value to our organization with their business acumen and deep understanding of our local market,” said John Dean, executive chair. “We also look forward to strengthening our connection with Maui and the Island of Hawaii.”

The other directors of both the company and the bank include: John C. Dean, executive chair of CPF & CPB; Christine H. H. Camp, president and CEO of Avalon Group LLC; Earl E. Fry, former chief customer officer and executive vice president, Operations Strategy of Informatica Corporation; Paul J. Kosasa, president and CEO of MNS Ltd., dba ABC Stores; Duane K. Kurisu, chairman and CEO of aio, LLC; Colbert M. Matsumoto, chairman and president of Island Holdings Inc.; Lance Mizumoto, president and chief banking officer of CPF & CPB; Catherine Ngo, president and CEO of CPF & CPB; and, Crystal K. Rose, partner of Bays Lung Rose Holma.