You’re standing in line at a grocery store in Honolulu, or maybe you’re sitting at a desk in Los Angeles, and your debit card just got declined. It’s a sinking feeling. You need to talk to a human being, and you need to do it right now. Finding the Bank of Hawaii customer service number shouldn't feel like a treasure hunt, but honestly, in the age of automated bots and endless "help" articles, it often does.
Most people just want a direct line. They don't want to click through five pages of FAQs. If you're looking for the main line to reach a real person, the number is 1-888-643-3888. If you are calling from within the islands, you can also use 808-643-3888.
But here is the thing: Bank of Hawaii (or BOH, as we mostly call it) doesn't just have one single "everything" phone number. Depending on whether you're a business owner in Guam or a college student with a lost credit card in Hilo, the number you actually need might be different.
The Numbers You Actually Need to Save
Let's get the logistics out of the way first. You've got the general number, but specialized issues require specialized departments.
For those of us living or traveling in Guam and Saipan, the toll-free number is 1-877-553-2424. If you happen to be in Palau, you’ll want to dial 1-680-488-3338. These aren't just secondary lines; they are dedicated to those regions to handle specific local banking hours and nuances.
Credit Cards and Specialized Support
If it’s about your Hawaiian Airlines® Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard®, don’t call the general line. You’ll just get transferred anyway. Call 1-866-250-2883 instead. For business owners using the Hawaiian Airlines® Business Mastercard®, the direct line is 1-866-686-5229.
For the hearing impaired, BOH provides a TTY/TDD line at 1-888-643-9888.
Why the "24/7" Label is Kinda Misleading
If you look at the BOH website, you’ll see "24/7 self-service" mentioned a lot. It sounds great, right? But there is a catch.
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The automated system is 24/7. You can check your balance, activate a card, or hear your last five transactions at 3 a.m. on a Sunday. However, if you need to talk to a live specialist, the window is tighter. Generally, specialists are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time (HST), seven days a week.
Remember that HST doesn't observe Daylight Saving Time. If you are on the East Coast during the summer, that 7 a.m. start time in Hawaii is actually 1 p.m. for you. I’ve seen people get frustrated because they call at "normal" business hours in New York, only to realize the bank in Honolulu hasn't even opened its call center yet.
The Emergency Exception
There is one big exception to the 7-to-7 rule: Lost or stolen cards. If your wallet disappears, you can’t wait until breakfast. The bank handles these calls 24/7. When you call the main Bank of Hawaii customer service number, follow the prompts specifically for a lost or stolen card, and you should be routed to an emergency operator regardless of the time.
Business Banking: A Different Beast
If you’re running a business, you probably aren't calling about a lost $20 at an ATM. You’re dealing with payroll, wire transfers, or merchant services.
For Online and Mobile Business Banking support, there is a separate team reachable at 808-694-8021 or toll-free at 1-877-232-0118. They generally operate Monday through Friday, mirroring more traditional business hours rather than the 7-day-a-week schedule of the personal banking side.
If you’re a merchant needing help with your credit card terminal, you’ll likely need to call 1-800-279-4195.
What Most People Get Wrong About Calling BOH
One of the biggest mistakes is calling during "The Peak."
Statistics (and any call center employee) will tell you that the heaviest call volume usually happens between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. HST. This is when the West Coast is on lunch, the East Coast is finishing their day, and Hawaii is right in the middle of its morning rush. If you can, call early—right at 7 a.m. HST. You’ll usually wait less than two minutes.
Another tip? Don't forget Bankoh by Phone.
It’s an older service, but it’s still robust. If you just need to move money between your own accounts or check if a specific check has cleared, the automated system is faster than waiting for a person. It’s also more secure if you’re in a public place because you’re mostly just pressing buttons on your keypad rather than saying your account details out loud.
Avoiding the "Fraud Call" Trap
This is huge. I’ve heard too many stories about people getting a call from someone claiming to be "Bank of Hawaii Customer Service." The caller ID might even say "Bank of Hawaii."
BOH will never call you and ask for your full Social Security number or your password. If you get a suspicious call, hang up. Don't use the "redial" feature. Manually type in 1-888-643-3888 and ask the agent if they were trying to reach you. It takes an extra two minutes, but it saves you from a total financial nightmare.
Actionable Next Steps
- Save the core number: Add 1-888-643-3888 to your phone contacts right now as "BOH Customer Service."
- Check the clock: Before calling, verify the current Hawaii Standard Time to ensure live specialists are actually on the clock (7 a.m. – 7 p.m.).
- Have your ID ready: The agents will always ask for your account number or the last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your identity. Having this ready before you dial prevents that awkward "hold on, let me find my wallet" silence.
- Use the App for basics: If you just need to lock a card because you misplaced it, use the BOH Mobile Banking app. It’s faster than any phone call.