From Public Defender to Private Advocate: Titiimaea “Ti” Taase’s Full-Spectrum Criminal Defense

When you meet attorney Titiimaea Taase — known simply as “Ti” — you notice two things right away: he’s approachable and direct, but his courtroom résumé speaks volumes. For over a decade as a Senior Trial Attorney with the Hawaii Public Defender’s Office, Ti defended clients accused of Hawaii’s most serious crimes — the kinds of cases where any mistake could change the trajectory of a client’s life .

During his time there, Ti not only tried countless jury cases, he also successfully argued twice before the Hawaii Supreme Court, securing new trials for clients by clarifying key evidentiary rules. Few attorneys can say they’ve changed how the law is applied in this state. Ti can.

Now, in private practice, Ti has built his firm around a soup-to-nuts defense model — from pre-charge representation (when police first call asking for “a quick statement”) all the way to trial, appeals, and beyond.

That’s why Ti emphasizes the value of pre-charge advocacy. For a fraction of what a trial costs, a strong pre-charge defense can mean the difference between quietly moving on with your life or facing a felony indictment. As Ti puts it, “Most people think they can just walk in, give a statement and walk out, but they don't know that they can do irreparable harm to their case as soon as they open their mouth.  If police call and ask you to come give a statement, as soon as you hang up your next call should be to a lawyer.”

Beyond his legal chops, Ti has a human side that clients connect with. Raised in Carson, California, steeped in 90s hip hop, R&B, and alternative rock, Ti is also known to take the stage at Rock for Justice, belting out Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, or Green Day for charity. For Ti, music and law have always been passions.

At the end of the day, Ti isn’t chasing headlines — he’s chasing justice. From restraining order defense to serious felony trials, Ti’s approach is relentless, strategic, and client-focused. With roots in LA grit and Hawaiian trial experience, he’s the lawyer you want before things spiral out of control.