Most financial titles such as wealth manager, financial consultant, or financial advisor are largely marketing terms that can be used broadly throughout the industry. RIA is different. It is a regulatory designation governed by state and federal securities authorities and requires adherence to strict compliance, disclosure, and fiduciary standards.
SEA earned its RIA designation on May 1, 2026, and is registered with both the State of Hawaii and the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. That means every recommendation we make is legally required to serve your interests first. Unlike many traditional financial firms that operate within product quotas, commission structures, or corporate sales agendas, SEA is compensated exclusively by our clients not by commissions, referral fees, or third-party incentives. Our only agenda is yours.
We're rooted in community, built on long-term relationships, and committed to delivering advice that is transparent, personalized, and aligned with your goals. Think less Wall Street, more Honolulu. That's not just a philosophy it's a fiduciary standard we're held to by law. When your advisor is paid only by you, the advice becomes fully aligned with your best interests.
"He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything." -Arabic proverb
Our Team
Garrett Wheeler is the founder of SEA Financial Hawaii and has been helping individuals, families, and business owners navigate important financial decisions since 2001. As a fee-only fiduciary financial advisor based in Honolulu, Garrett provides comprehensive financial planning and investment management with a commitment to objective advice and long-term client relationships. He serves clients throughout Hawaii and in seven states across the U.S. Growing up in a family-owned business gave Garrett firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities entrepreneurs face. That experience continues to shape his work today, particularly his passion for helping business owners develop financial strategies that support both their personal and professional goals. Garrett earned his bachelor's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he studied economics and political science. After graduating, he returned to Hawaii to help bring the Successories® franchise to the islands, gaining valuable experience in business ownership and leadership before transitioning into financial services. Today, Garrett works with clients on a broad range of planning needs, including retirement planning, investment management, tax-efficient strategies, estate planning coordination, business planning, and financial life planning. He believes meaningful financial advice begins with understanding each client's values, priorities, and goalsânot simply managing an investment portfolio. As a fiduciary advisor, Garrett combines more than two decades of client-facing experience with a planning-first philosophy. His advice is designed to provide clarity, confidence, and practical solutions that help clients make informed financial decisions throughout every stage of life. Garrett founded SEA Financial Hawaii on the belief that financial planning should be personal, transparent, and rooted in trust. Inspired by Hawaii's culture of service and aloha, he strives to build lasting relationships while helping clients protect what matters most, prepare for the future, and pursue financial peace of mind. The firm's comprehensive approach integrates modern financial planning technology with personalized guidance tailored to each client's unique circumstances. Whether working with business owners, families, retirees, or multigenerational households, Garrett's focus remains the same: delivering objective, fee-only advice that helps clients simplify complex financial decisions and move forward with greater confidence.
1926
300948
Hawaii
8
Individual Investors, Businesses
Estate Planning & Trusts, Investment Advice & Management, Financial Advice & Consulting, Insurance Products & Annuities, Financial Planning, Portfolio Management, Retirement Planning, 401K Rollovers, Wealth Management, Risk Management, Education Funding and Planning, Financial Planning for Individuals, Financial Planning for Businesses, Tax Advice and Services, Money Management
Variable Life, Long Term Care, Variable Annuity, Life, Annuity, Disability
Mutual Funds, Bonds, Stocks, Annuities, Insurance, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), Socially Responsible Investments (SRI)
Yes
Your Office, Phone, Video Conference, Your Home
Fee-Only
$100000
Based on Assets, Hourly, Flat Fee
1%
$250
$1750
$750
57
23
23
WiserAdvisor provides referrals to financial professionals. WiserAdvisor is not a current client of advisor or advisory services. Financial professionals pay cash compensation for these referrals, which creates the incentive for WiserAdvisor to make these referrals, resulting in a conflict of interest.
Additional Detailed Disclosures
