First Hawaiian Bank President and CEO Donald Horner will take over as chairman of the bank's board of directors, replacing Walter Dods who has held the post since 1989.

The move, effective Dec. 31, is part of a continuing transition at the state's largest commercial bank. Horner 58, had replaced Dods as First Hawaiian's chief executive officer in 2005.

Dods, 67, will remain a member of the bank's board of directors and its executive committee. He joined First Hawaiian Bank in 1968 as director of advertising and public relations. Dods rose through the ranks and in 1984 became bank president. In 1989, was named chief executive officer.