Timothy Mahi‘ai White
His Story
Tim was born and raised in the small town of Honoka‘a on the Big Island and moved to O‘ahu during high school. He continues to carry his small town values with him due to the advice given to him by his father, whom also gave him the middle name of Mahi‘ai because he wanted Tim to become a farmer. Tim's father told him "keep your hands dirty" and "don't forget where you're from." To his father's disappointment, Tim didn't become a farmer, but Tim still remembers his father's advice as a key to his approach to the practice of law and life. Tim interprets his father's words as to stay connected to the land, the people, and the community.
Tim always had the aim of living up to his father's advice from a young age and always wanted to contribute to his community through his work. However, he did not come to the conclusion to achieve that goal by becoming an Estate Planning attorney until the near completion of his undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
The catalyst of his decision came down to an ongoing family Estate Planning issue that caused him a lot of anguish and uncertainty due to being left in the dark about what was going to happen before and after it was his turn to take the lead. He set off to get a law degree with a focus in Taxation Law as well as a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law from Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco. During his studies and internship with the Honorable John H. Sugiyama of the Contra Costa Probate Court, Timothy gained a working knowledge of Estate Planning.
Together with his knowledge, life experience, and his father's advice, Tim returned home to achieve his goal to keep his hands dirty by helping everyday people in his community to create a well thought out and Integrated Estate Plan.
Tim is currently a member of the Probate and Estate Planning Section, and the Elder Law Section of the Hawai‘i State Bar. He formerly served as a Director and President of the Kalāheo High School Foundation. He also enjoys participates in various volunteer activities in his community. His hobbies include spending time with his family, surfing, hiking, traveling, and keeping his hands dirty in his urban farm.
