For immediate release

HONOLULU, September 26, 2023 — The American Heart Association (Association) Hawaii Division has announced the election of Brandt Farias as chair of its Board of Directors.

Farias is the executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Central Pacific Bank’s (CPB). He joined CPB in July 2021 as senior vice president and marketing director, managing the development and execution of the bank's marketing programs. He has over 30 years of bank marketing experience in Hawaii. Farias holds a BA in journalism from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and is a graduate of the Stanford School of Executive Management. Active in the local community, he also serves on the board of the Hawaii Employer’s Council.

“I’m very honored to serve in this leadership role for the American Heart Association as it celebrates in 2024 its 100th anniversary of saving lives and improving health,” said Farias. “Having lost my father to heart disease, the Association’s mission is very dear to me. I hope that through my involvement I can help improve the quality of lives and health for all of our Hawaii communities through the work that Association does nationally and locally.”

New board members include: Matthew S. Reeves, D.O., MBA, senior vice president of Clinical Integration for Hawai‘i Medical Service Association (HMSA); Michael Takeshi Tanoue, M.D., general cardiologist and assistant clinical professor at the University of Hawaii, and medical director of the Noninvasive Laboratory and director of Nuclear Cardiology at the Queen’s Heart Institute.

Returning Board members include: Greg Christian, president of the Hawaii market, Kaiser Permanente; Jason Fujita, vice president of Sales & Brand Operations, HPM Hawaii; Michael Lui, M.D., director of Neurology Clinic, neurologist, EMG and neuromuscular specialist, Pali Momi Medical Center; Ben Morgan, vice president Customer Operations, Hawaiian Telcom; Ben Salazar, managing director of Finance and chief financial officer, Kamehameha Schools; and David Underriner, executive vice president of Oahu operations, Hawaii Pacific Health.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Instagram or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. Or, call our Hawaii Division office at 808-377-6630, go to our local web site at www.heart.org/hawaii, and follow our Hawaii social media sites on Facebook and Instagram.

 

For Media Inquiries:

Don Weisman: don.weisman@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org