The annual Tax Workshop, hosted by the Â鶹´«Ã½ Department of Taxation (DOTAX) in partnership with Leeward Community College¡¯s Office of Workforce Development (OWD), drew a full house on September 4, with 280 tax practitioners joining both in person at the Ala Moana Hotel and online. The event plays a vital role in preparing Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s tax professionals with the latest updates to state tax laws and processes.
“These workshops ensure practitioners have the information they need to better serve taxpayers across the state,” said Gary Yamashiroya, special assistant to the director of DOTAX.
For longtime attendee Hank Erwin, owner of Hank¡¯s Tax Service in Honolulu, these workshops are a lifeline in a complex and ever-changing field.
“Tax practitioners need to stay up to date on what¡¯s new at the state level, not just federal,” he said. “This workshop is where we get answers directly from the Department of Taxation.”
OWD handled all logistics—from registration and venue setup to technology and day-of coordination—allowing DOTAX to focus entirely on delivering valuable content.
‘Incredible resource’
“Working with Leeward CC has been seamless—everything is handled professionally, communication is excellent, and the venues are always top-notch. I hope other departments take advantage of this incredible resource,” added Yamashiroya.
The annual workshop is hosted statewide, with sessions held on Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi and Â鶹´«Ã½ Island through partnerships with other UH Community College campuses. Managing a multi-island workshop means making sure the experience stays smooth and efficient for everyone.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for the Department of Taxation and participants,” said Will Castillo, Leeward CC¡¯s senior workforce development coordinator.
“Our goal is to ensure every attendee has a stress-free, positive experience—whether it¡¯s their first time participating or they¡¯re registering a whole office.”
Whether planning small meetings or large-scale conferences, OWD offers expertise, statewide reach and professional support to make every event a success. Organizations interested in using these conference and event services can connect with the OWD team at workdev@hawaii.edu.
—By Devon Bedoya