Born in Pukalani, Territory of Hawaii, Tavares received a Juris Doctor from University of Michigan Law School in 1925.
He was in private practice of law in Maui County, Territory of Hawaii from 1925 to 1927.
He was a special deputy attorney general of the Territory of Hawaii for war matters from 1941 to 1942.
From March 1953 to September 1956, Tavares served on the Hawaii Statehood Commission.
[1][2] Tavares received a recess appointment from President Dwight D. Eisenhower on October 13, 1960, to the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, to a new seat created by 73 Stat.