8-K

		UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D. C. 20549
				Form 8-K
Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  April 28, 2006
			First Financial Holdings, Inc.
				(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
Delaware				0-17122		57-0866076
State or other jurisdiction of incorporation				Commission File Number	I.R.S. Employer I.D. number
34 Broad Street, Charleston, South Carolina  29401
				(Address of principal executive offices)
			Registrant's telephone number (including area code):  (843) 529-5933
				Not applicable
			(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
[ ]	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ]	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ]	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ]	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4c under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Section 7 -- Regulation FD

          Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

In a press release dated April 28, 2006, First Financial announced that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $.24 per share. The dividend is payable May 26, 2006, to stockholders of record as of May 12, 2006.

Section 9 -- Financial Statements and Exhibits

          Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

          (a) Not applicable.

          (b) Not applicable.

          (c) Exhibits

                    Exhibit (99.1) Press releases dated April 28, 2006 announcing dividends.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	FIRST FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC
	/s/ Susan E. Baham
	Susan E. Baham
	Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
	Chief Operating Officer and
	Principal Accounting Officer
Date: April 28, 2006

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	First Financial Holdings, Inc. Declaration of Dividends

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FIRST FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
34 Broad Street * Charleston, S.C. 29401
843-529-5933 * FAX: 843-529-5929

NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS

Contact:	Dorothy B. Wright
	Vice President
	(843) 529-5931

FIRST FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC. ANNOUNCES
DECLARATION OF DIVIDENDS

Charleston, South Carolina (April 28, 2006) - -- First Financial Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: FFCH) today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $.24 per share. The dividend is payable May 26, 2006, to stockholders of record as of May 12, 2006.

          A. Thomas Hood, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are very pleased to have our stockholders continue to benefit directly in the profitability of the Company through the payment of cash dividends. The Board of Directors and Management are committed to enhancing the value of our stockholders' investment."

          First Financial is the thrift holding company of First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Charleston. The Association operates a total of 51 offices located in the Charleston Metropolitan area, Horry, Georgetown, Florence and Beaufort counties in South Carolina and Brunswick County in coastal North Carolina. The Company also provides insurance, brokerage and trust services through First Southeast Insurance Services, Kimbrell Insurance Group, First Southeast Investor Services and First Southeast Fiduciary and Trust Services. For additional information about First Financial, please visit our web site at www.firstfinancialholdings.com.

- 30 -