CU Hawai’i Federal Credit Union (‘CU Hawai’i’) has selected Mahalo Banking to implement its Thoughtful Banking® platform, strengthening the credit union’s ability to deliver a modern, intuitive digital banking experience. This partnership, in tandem with CU Hawai’i’s core conversion to the Corelation KeyStone core, represents a strategic dual implementation that positions the credit union with a fully integrated, future-ready technology ecosystem. Together, these initiatives provide a more secure, responsive, and innovation-forward digital environment that empowers members to easily manage finances while enabling the credit union to adapt quickly as digital expectations evolve.
The decision follows CU Hawai’i’s extensive search for a digital banking platform that offered the deepest core integration to KeyStone, coupled with greater functionality, usability, and flexibility as part of its broader technology transformation. Mahalo distinguished itself through its strong reputation among peer credit unions, member-centric design philosophy, and alignment with CU Hawai’i’s commitment to delivering high-quality service. Just as importantly, CU Hawai’i was drawn to Mahalo’s collaborative, people-first culture and partnership approach, which emphasizes transparency, responsiveness, and a shared commitment to long-term success. Mahalo’s deep appreciation for the unique culture of Hawai’i credit unions, where relationships, community, and trust are foundational, further reinforced the alignment between the two organizations.
“We wanted a digital banking solution that would better support the way our members bank today and position us for the future,” said James Takamine, President and CEO of CU Hawai’i. “The feedback we received from other credit unions about Mahalo’s platform and partnership approach was overwhelmingly positive. Beyond the technology, it was clear that Mahalo’s team and culture are truly aligned with how we serve our members. The dedicated focus on usability, security, and collaboration made Mahalo the clear choice for our long-term digital strategy, especially as we undergo our core conversion to KeyStone.”
Mahalo’s platform will provide CU Hawai’i members with a wide array of enhanced capabilities. Tight integration with the credit union’s core system ensures that members can manage their accounts independently, complete transactions quickly, and access a consistent experience across devices. In addition, the Thoughtful Banking® platform delivers a unified digital banking experience across desktop and mobile, with intuitive access to transfers, bill pay, and loan and card management. Built-in security features, including credential assurance technology (CAT), advanced authentication, and fraud monitoring, provide strong protection for member accounts. Native integration with the Corelation KeyStone core enables real-time account access, improved operational efficiency, and more personalized financial management.
The platform offers a wide range of fintech integrations and ongoing enhancements, enabling CU Hawai’i to remain at the forefront of digital banking innovation and quickly act on member feedback. Backed by a highly engaged team, Mahalo works closely with credit unions to ensure implementations are thoughtful, collaborative, and aligned with each institution’s unique goals, particularly during critical initiatives like core conversions.
“CU Hawai’i shares our commitment to innovation and delivering meaningful member experiences,” said Denny Howell, COO of Mahalo. “Our platform is designed to be collaborative and adaptive, allowing the credit union to implement solutions that improve security, accessibility, and overall digital engagement. Just as important is our commitment to partnership. We work side by side with our credit unions, especially during transformative efforts like core conversions, to ensure they feel supported every step of the way. We also recognize that Hawai’i credit unions have a unique culture rooted in community, trust, and personal connection, and we are committed to supporting that in a meaningful way. By working closely with CU Hawai’i’s team, we’re helping deliver a technology-forward experience that honors those values while meeting today’s member expectations and setting the stage for future growth.”
About CU Hawai’i
CU Hawai‘i is a not-for-profit, federally insured financial institution owned by its 30,000 members. It was founded in 1955 by 10 Hilo businessmen as the Big Island Businessmen’s Federal Credit Union. As a community-chartered credit union, membership is open to all persons living or working on Hawai‘i Island. CU Hawai‘i’s branches are located in Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Kea‘au, Nā‘ālehu, Pahala and Pāhoa. CU Hawai‘i has Student Credit Union branches at Waiākea High School, Kea’au High School, and Pāhoa High School. To learn more, log on to www.CUHawaii.com.
About Mahalo
Mahalo Banking provides online and mobile banking solutions for credit unions. Based in Troy, Mich., the Mahalo platform is designed and built on superior architecture with deep integration to core processing, providing security and a robust feature set across all delivery channels for a true omni experience. Mahalo offers the industry’s first and only online banking solution to fully integrate comprehensive neurodiverse functionality directly into its platform. This inclusive approach allows credit unions to support and embrace all members and accommodate their unique needs.
For more information about Mahalo Banking, please visit us at mahalobanking.com, follow us on Twitter or connect via LinkedIn.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260527643193/en/
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