David W.K. Wong

David Wong is a Partner in the firm's Honolulu office and a member of its Tax, Estate Planning & Pension practice group.  His practice emphasizes federal and Hawai‘i tax aspects of commercial transactions and business enterprises.  Mr. Wong has done extensive work in the areas of business organizations, entity structuring, acquisitions, divestitures, and debt workouts.  He is listed in Chambers USA Guide 2025 for Corporate/Commercial and for Tax.  Chambers said "David Wong enjoys a strong reputation among clients for his expertise in ownership issues and corporate governance policies, as well as transactions such as acquisitions. He is particularly experienced in tax matters.  He is excellent on all the necessary details.  He is very smart, very responsive and gives intelligent and practical advice."

David was recently named by The Best Lawyers in America 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" - Tax Law.  He has been listed in the publication since 2010.

Corporate Acquisition

Assisted Japanese manufacturing company in due diligence review and acquisition of U.S. target company.

Insurance

Represented clients in the formation, acquisition and disposition of insurance companies and insurance agencies.

Foreclosures and Workouts

Advised numerous borrowers and lenders regarding tax aspects of loan restructurings, workouts and foreclosures.

Real Property Valuation

Represented property owners and lessees in appealing real property tax assessments of residential, shopping center, and golf course properties.

Hawaii General Excise and Use Tax

Handled appeals and negotiations with Hawaii Department Taxation to reduce proposed general excise and use tax assessments for local and multinational clients involving numerous proposed assessments in excess of $1 million.

Hawaii Taxes

Advised numerous clients regarding Hawaii income tax, franchise tax, general excise tax, use tax, fuel tax and real estate conveyance tax matters.

Distinctions

• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®, since 2010 in Business Organizations (including LLC's and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, and Tax Law
  
• Recognized by Best Lawyers® Tax Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Honolulu (2016, 2022)
• Recognized by Best Lawyers® Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Honolulu (2025)
• Listed in Chambers USA Guide 2025 for Corporate/Commercial and for Tax
• HONOLULU Magazine's 2016 Lawyers of the Year distinction for Tax
  
• Selected by attorney peers for inclusion in Super Lawyers 2014 for Business/ Corporate and Tax
  

Affiliations

• Hawaii State Bar Association