Koichi Iida

Koichi Iida (May 20, 1888 November 8, 1973) was a Japanese American businessman from Hawaiʻi. He is the founder of Central Pacific Bank.
Early life and education.
Iida was born on 20th May 1888 in Osaka, Japan. He was the son of Matsukichi Iida. His father moved to Honolulu in 1895.
Koichi Iida graduated from Osaka Commercial School in 1906. He then moved to Los Angeles, where he studied English. Five years later he moved to Hawaiʻi. He joined his father in running the business. His father left the business to Koichi lida and returned to Japan in 1931.
Career.
Iida was a founding member of the Honolulu Japanese Traders Union. He was elected president in 1928. When the Traders Union merged with the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, he became its president in 1940. In the meantime his business continued to grow until World war ll took place. He was imprisoned in several internment camps in United States of America during World war II. He was imprisoned for the duration of the war. He returned to Hawaiʻi in 1945. After he returned, he worked with Daizo Sumida and Shuichi Fukunaga to revive the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce again. He was again elected the president of the Chamber in 1948. Iida was also the first president of Central Pacific Bank. It was founded in 1954. When Ala Moana Shopping Center opened in 1959, Iida store was one of the first 50 stores in the mall. It was operating in that location until 2005.
Iida was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 5th class, in 1965. He retired from his position as Board Member of Central Pacific Bank in 1970. He died on 8 November 1973.