Maui County Federal Credit Union (MCFCU) is excited to announce the appointment of Michele Kawahara as its new President & CEO, effective September 1, 2025. Michele will succeed Gary Fukuroku, who will retire on August 31, 2025, after more than three decades of dedicated service and transformative leadership.
Since taking the helm in 1991, Gary has led MCFCU through tremendous growth, from one branch with nine employees serving 6,000 members, to three branches with a team of nearly 70 serving more than 20,000 members. His accomplishments include expanding the credit union’s products and services to meet members’ changing needs, introducing digital banking, the construction of two headquarters facilities, and modernizing its core processing system. Throughout his tenure, he remained committed to the credit union philosophy of people helping people and its mission to care for members’ needs by providing services that encourage financial well-being.
Michele brings nearly two decades of executive leadership within Maui’s credit union community. For the past five years, she has served as MCFCU’s Vice President, helping guide strategic growth, enhance member services, and strengthen community partnerships. Before that, she spent almost 14 years as CEO of West Maui Community Federal Credit Union, where she championed initiatives to expand financial access for local families.
“I am honored to be chosen to lead Maui County Federal Credit Union into its next chapter,” said Michele Kawahara. “It’s a privilege to build upon the strong foundation and remarkable legacy that Gary has established over the past 34 years. I am dedicated to continuing our mission of supporting our members, promoting their financial well-being, and upholding the credit union philosophy of people helping people in all that we do.”
Rhonda Loo, Chair of the MCFCU Board of Directors, shared, “The Board conducted a thoughtful and thorough search process to ensure we selected a leader who embodies our mission and values. Michele's leadership, community roots, and dedication to our members make her the ideal choice to guide us into the future.”
Maui County Federal Credit Union extends its heartfelt gratitude to Gary Fukuroku for his decades of service, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to the members and community of Maui County.