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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.9

                                  AMENDMENT TO
                              FIRST HAWAIIAN, INC.
                        INCENTIVE PLAN FOR KEY EXECUTIVES


         In accordance with paragraph 10 of the First Hawaiian, Inc. Incentive
Plan for Key Executives (hereinafter the "Plan"), Section 3.b of the Plan is
hereby amended by adding a new sentence at the end thereof to read in its
entirety as follows:

         In calculating the Consolidated Income Before Income Taxes and
         Securities Gains of the Group, the Committee, in consultation with the
         Chief Executive Officer and/or the Chief Financial Officer, may make
         such adjustments to the reported amount as the Committee may deem
         appropriate in the circumstances.

The amendments set forth herein shall be effective as of the date BancWest
Corporation, a California corporation, is merged with and into First Hawaiian,
Inc., a Delaware corporation.

         TO RECORD the adoption of these amendments, First Hawaiian, Inc. has
executed this document this 15th day of October, 1998.

                                         FIRST HAWAIIAN, INC.



                                         By  /s/  Herbert E. Wolff
                                           -----------------------------
                                         Its  Senior Vice President
                                                  and Secretary