Welcome to the Settlement Website for the class action lawsuit, known as Robinson v First Hawaiian Bank Settlement, in the Circuit Court of the First Circuit, State of Hawai’i.

A $4,125,000 Settlement was reached in a class action about overdraft fees charged to consumer Accounts by First Hawaiian Bank (“FHB”) on debit card transactions that were authorized and approved when sufficient funds were available to cover the amount of authorization (“Relevant Overdraft Fees”). Relevant Overdraft Fees were assessed when customers’ account balances were insufficient when the transaction(s) posted to the account. FHB maintains that there was nothing wrong with the transaction processing practices it used and that it complied, at all times, with applicable laws.

Current and former holders of FHB consumer checking Accounts were eligible for a payment or Account credit from the Settlement Fund. The Settlement Class was identified as the following:

All current and former FHB members who were charged a Relevant Overdraft Fee from January 27, 2011, through March 13, 2019. Excluded from the Settlement Class is FHB, its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers and directors, all Settlement Class Members who made a timely election to be excluded, and all judges assigned to this litigation and their immediate family members.

Settlement Class members were issued a payment by check or Account credit for their pro rata portion of the Settlement Fund based on the number of eligible Relevant Overdraft Fees paid to FHB during the period covered by the Settlement. Payments were issued in late October 2019. A secondary distribution is in process to individuals that either received an account credit from First Hawaiian Bank or presented their first settlement check for payment. If you received an account credit or cashed your check, you should expect another account credit or check representing residual settlement funds.

This Settlement Website explains important rights you may have had, you may also wish to read the Frequently Asked Questions page of this website for additional information. Your legal rights are affected whether you acted or didn't act. Please read this website carefully.


Summary of Your Legal Rights and Options in this Settlement
Receive a Payment or Account Credit If you are entitled under the Settlement to a payment or Account credit, you do not have to do anything to receive it. The Court has approved the Settlement and it has become final. If you are entitled under the Settlement you will automatically receive a payment by check or Account credit when the Settlement Administrator disperses the fund.
Exclude Yourself from the Settlement
By July 5, 2019
(Passed) 		The deadline to exclude yourself has passed. This was the only option that would have allowed you to retain your right to bring any other lawsuit against FHB about the claims in this case.
Object to the Settlement
By July 5, 2019
(Passed) 		The deadline to object to the terms of the Settlement has passed. This was the only opportunity that would have allowed you to write to the Court to object to the terms of the Settlement.
Do Nothing You will receive any payment or Account credit to which you are entitled, and will give up your right to bring your own lawsuit against FHB about the claims in this case.

Current Status The Court held a Final Approval Hearing at 3:00 p.m. HST on August 6, 2019, and determined that the Settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate. The Settlement Administrator will distribute a second payment in early 2021.

Important Dates
  • January 27, 2011 - March 13, 2019
    Class Period
  • July 5, 2019
    Deadline to Exclude Yourself from the Settlement Class
  • July 5, 2019
    Deadline to Object
  • August 6, 2019 3:00 p.m. HST
    Final Approval Hearing