The master developer of Kapolei, James Campbell Co., has recruited former Hawaii resident and bank president Richard Dahl as chief executive officer.

Dahl, 58, will replace Campbell Co. Chief Executive Officer Steve MacMillan, who in May 2009 announced his plan to retire this year. The change is effective Aug. 11, though Dahl will begin transition work next month.

Dahl had been semi-retired, but was sought out for the position and decided to move back to Hawaii from California to lead one of the state’s largest private landowners.

"It’s a great company with a great legacy in Hawaii," he said. "I’m looking forward to the job."

Dahl spent 21 years at Bank of Hawaii, including a term from 1994 to 2002 as president and chief operating officer.

After leaving the bank in 2002, Dahl joined Dole Food Co. in California as chief operating officer, and in 2004 was promoted to president and chief operating officer.

In 2007, Dahl left Dole to pursue personal business interests. He served in important positions on the boards of other companies, but didn’t return to work in an executive role.

"Since I left Dole, I had been semi-retired, but I never seemed to get there (full retirement)," he said.

Dahl currently is the non-executive chairman of International Rectifier Corp. of El Segundo, Calif.; and is a director of DineEquity Inc. of Glendale, Calif., and IDACORP Inc. and Idaho Power Co. of Boise, Idaho.

MacMillan said in a statement that Campbell Co.’s board believes Dahl is the right person to lead the firm.

"Richard has an impressive track record of success, both in Hawaii and the mainland," he said. "The board is confident that he is the right person to lead the James Campbell Co. to even greater success in the future."

MacMillan, who had been with Campbell Co. for more than 28 years, oversaw some of the most vigorous growth of Kapolei during his tenure and guided the Campbell Co., formerly known as the Estate of James Campbell, through its transition from a family trust to a national, private real estate company.