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Each November, we pause to honor the courage and sacrifice of those who serve our country. But beyond ceremonies and flags, Veterans Day is also a reminder of something deeply personal — the need to protect the people who stand behind you. In Hawaiʻi, where ʻohana means everything, proper estate planning is one of the most meaningful ways to honor your service and safeguard your family’s future. Why Some Families Need a More Specialized Estate Plan Military and civilian famil

Many families focus on building  wealth, but far fewer think about keeping  it. Studies show that most families lose their wealth by the second generation — and nearly 90% lose it by the third. This isn’t because parents don’t care. It’s because key pieces of planning are missing. In Honolulu and across Hawaiʻi, where family ties are strong and property often carries deep emotional and cultural value, preserving wealth for future generations requires more than financial succe

Many couples in Hawaiʻi share homes, finances, and a lifetime of memories without ever marrying. But under Hawaiʻi law, those relationships aren’t automatically recognized. If something happens to you, your partner could lose access to your home, savings, or even the right to make medical decisions on your behalf. Through my Life & Legacy Planning®  process, I help Honolulu couples ensure their wishes are honored and their partners are legally protected — no matter what life

From October 20–26, 2025, families across Hawaiʻi will join others nationwide in recognizing Estate Planning Awareness Week — a reminder that the most loving thing you can do for your ʻohana is to plan ahead. While many think of “estate planning” as piles of legal documents, it’s far more than that. True planning isn’t just about wills or trusts — it’s about protecting your loved ones, passing down your values, and ensuring your family can navigate life’s hardest moments with

When someone you love dies, grief is heavy enough. Add legal confusion, frozen bank accounts, and court paperwork — and even the most organized ʻohana can feel overwhelmed. That’s exactly what happens to many families across Hawaiʻi when there isn’t a clear plan (or a guide) in place. Below are true-to-life scenarios that show how easily things can go sideways — and why working with the right lawyer in Honolulu can spare your loved ones unnecessary stress, expense, and confli

If you’ve been told that estate planning starts with a quick initial consultation and ends with a stack of documents, you may be heading...

October marks LGBTQIA+ History Month — a time to reflect on the resilience, courage, and victories of those who fought for equality. It’s...

Protect your future in Hawaiʻi with a Life & Legacy Plan. Learn how thoughtful planning safeguards your care, dignity, and ʻohana.

Losing someone you love reshapes your world in ways you may never expect. Some changes are obvious — you no longer share birthdays,...

When my colleague’s son moved into his first apartment for college, he quickly realized how expensive groceries could be. “Food is so...

I would give anything to hear my grandmother’s voice again. My grandmother had been the heart of my family — the one who told stories...

Imagine this: you and your spouse spend decades building a successful business, investing wisely, and creating stability for your family....

Labor Day has always been about honoring the American worker — the people who build our communities, keep our economy moving, and create...

When wrestling icon Hulk Hogan passed away at age 71, headlines focused on his decades of fame and an estate reportedly worth around $25...

You worked with a lawyer, signed your estate planning documents, and tucked them away in a safe place. Or maybe you used an online...

When Anna Harp lost her father, Rudolph Clausing, in early 2021, she never got the chance to say goodbye. COVID-19 protocols kept her...

Losing a loved one is hard enough, but being left with the responsibility of their home can feel overwhelming. Whether you're in Honolulu...

What happens when you're worth $17 billion and have more than 100 biological children — including many conceived via anonymous sperm...

When most people in Honolulu think of estate planning, they picture wills, trusts, and deciding “who gets what.” But what happens when...

On July 4, 2025, the federal government passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” — a sweeping 900-page tax and benefits overhaul that impacts...