Scott Makuakane

Scott A. Makuakane has been a dedicated practitioner in the fields of estate planning, trust and estate administration, asset protection, estate and gift taxation, and probate since 1983. He has authored numerous training manuals and articles aimed at educating lawyers about estate planning. Notably, he contributed the Estate Planning Checklist and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax chapters to the Hawaii State Bar Association’s Encyclopedia of Estate Planning.

Mr. Makuakane is a regular columnist for Generations Magazine, a Hawaii-based publication that provides valuable insights for seniors. His column demystifies estate planning topics with clear, non-legal jargon. Additionally, his book, Est8Planning for Geniuses, explores the 8 Portals of Est8Planning, offering a comprehensive guide to creating and maintaining an effective estate plan with a touch of humor.

Scott earned his J.D. from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii and his A.B. from Duke University. He is admitted to practice in all Hawaii courts, the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii, the U.S. Tax Court, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

His leadership roles include serving as president of the Probate & Estate Planning Section and the Senior Counsel Division, as well as the Estate & Gift Tax Committee of the Hawaii State Bar Association. He has also been the past-President of the Christian Legal Society, the Financial Planning Association of Hawaii, and the Board of Trustees of the Foundation of the Rotary Club of Honolulu.

Mr. Makuakane is recognized by the Chambers High Net Worth Guide in Private Wealth law and was selected for the Best Lawyers® list in Trust & Estates Litigation. Since 1993, he has consistently achieved the AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, reflecting the highest level of professional excellence.