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ANTHONY R. "TONY" GUERRERO, JR., 76, of Makaha, a retired First Hawaiian Bank executive and longtime leader of the Waianae Coast community, passed away April 1, 2021, at The Queen's Medical Center. He was born in Honolulu on January 12, 1945, the son of Antone R. and Lorraine (Souza) Guerrero.Tony, also known to longtime friends as "Ants," graduated from Saint Louis School, Class of 1963; he devoted much of his time and energy for the rest of his life to helping his alma mater grow and prosper.
He went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Portland (Oregon) in 1967. He immediately was hired as a management trainee at what was then called First National Bank of Hawaii, which later changed its name to First Hawaiian.
Later, as he worked his way up through the branch system, he graduated with honors from the Bank Administration Institute at the University of Wisconsin. He eventually became Vice Chairman of First Hawaiian's Retail Banking Group and retired in 2010 after a 42-year banking career.
Bob Harrison, the bank's Chairman and CEO, said "Tony's energy, passion and humor were contagious. His love of the bank can only be matched by the love that so many of us had for him."
Tony was a well-known waterman. He and his wife of 54 years, Haunani, lived on Makaha Beach, where he was best known as a surfer and a prize-winning canoe paddler for Waikiki Surf Club. When he was in his 60s, he and his son Kaipo standup-paddled the 32-mile Ka'iwi Channel from Moloka'i to O'ahu.
Guerrero volunteered for leadership positions in many community organizations, including O'ahu Transit Services Inc., Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Polynesian Voyaging Society, and most notably in recent years, the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. He served on the health center board for 16 years, nine as chairman.
"Uncle Tony always looked for what was best for our community and for our health center. He was an inspiration to so many in our state. Whenever difficult decisions had to be made, we called Tony," said Rich Bettini, the center's President and CEO.
Guerrero is survived by wife Haunani; son Kaipo; daughter Kaui; and grandchildren Giselle Kananiokekai Guerrero, Raquel Kekamakahiauokalani Guerrero, and Anthony Kekahimoku Guerrero.
Plans for a memorial service are on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions. If you wish to honor his memory, donations may be made to the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center.
