3 Largest Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) in Hawaii

2. Fort Street Asset Management, LLC (FSAM) = ~$47.8M+ in AUM

Before co-founding Fort Street Asset Management, LLC in December 2019, Richard Wertheimer and Clint Dodson had previously worked together at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management in Hawaii. Today, Fort Street manages customized portfolios for high-net-worth individuals on a segregated account basis. Fort Street is a Honolulu, HI-based money manager overseeing global equity portfolios and advising on asset allocation strategies for a small group of like-minded investors.

FSAM combines the personalized, white-glove approach of an advisor with the experience and execution of an institutional money manager. This approach increases its odds of outperforming benchmarks while simultaneously creating portfolios that can absorb external shocks and give us the confidence to stay invested during periods of extreme uncertainty. Its strategy is long-term focused, unconstrained by style, geography, or sector, with a preference for larger, well-established companies that have high barriers to entry and sustainable growth.

FSAM maintains a diversified portfolio of 20 to 40 positions that are typically long only. Fort Street's team has a combined 50 years of professional investment experience, managing hedge fund and institutional money for Stan Druckenmiller, Citadel Investment Management, and the Capital Group.

- Founded: 2019
- Headquarters: Honolulu, HI
- Discretionary Assets: ~$47.8M+
- Non-Discretionary Assets: $0
- Total AUM: ~$47.8M+
- Specialties: Customized wealth and investment management services for high-net-worth individuals

3. Brighttree Financial Group, LLC = ~$25.9M+ in AUM

Founded by Harold Green in 2015, Brighttree Financial Group, LLC is a Honolulu, Hawaii-based financial advisor serving over 350 clients from the Hawaiian Islands to China. Green has over 20+ years of experience in the financial planning field and, as a parent, understands the challenges that come with balancing college and retirement planning. This has fueled his passion for making sure college is available for everyone who earns their way in.

Brighttree Financial Group has a three-phase system to navigate college tuition without going broke. First, the firm positions the student for the best possible success. Next, they will position the parent and their assets. Finally, the firm will walk through the financial aid filing process to boost the success of the first two phases. Brighttree Financial Group maps out the path to your child’s dream of higher education, figures out how you can afford it without compromising other financial goals, and understands the financial aid landscape at large. 

- Founded: 2015
- Headquarters: Honolulu, HI
- Discretionary Assets: ~$25.9M+
- Non-Discretionary Assets: $0
- Total AUM: ~$25.9M+
- Specialties: Wealth management, college financial planning & admissions counseling, retirement planning, life & long-term care insurance, 401(k) advice & management, and pension planning  

RIA Review

A registered investment advisor (RIA) is any firm advising or managing the wealth of high-net-worth individuals or institutions. Directly regulated by the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), RIAs offer a wide range of financial services — from wealth and investment management to direct lending and personal finance education, etc. An important distinction regarding RIAs is the fiduciary obligation to always act in the best interest of their clients.