University of Hawaii lawprof David L. Callies needs no introduction to the readers of this blog. He’s one of the deans of the national and international land use bar and professoriate, but those of us who practice land use law in Hawaii consider him our special mentor (dare I say guru?) when the topic of Hawaii land use law is raised. Virtually every dirt lawyer practicing here has studied under or with him.

Those of us who consider this area of law our calling have for years looked forward to an update of Regulating Paradise, his seminal book on Hawaii’s complex and multi-layered system of land use and regulation.

Well wait no further. The University of Hawaii Press has published the second edition of Professor Callies’ essential work. Purchase your copy here (a mere $22). Here’s the Introduction.

We haven’t had an opportunity to pore through the nearly 400 pages of text (illustrated with the irreplaceable Corky Trinidad‘s editorial cartoons), so a more complete review will follow once we’ve had a chance to do so. In the meantime, voices more eminent than our own have weighed in:

“A masterful analysis of [Hawai‘i’s] land use laws.” —Daniel R. Mandelker, Stamper Professor of Law, Washington University, St. Louis

“Essential reading for all who seek to understand how land use is regulated in Hawai‘i or to apply the lessons learned there to other states.” —Dan Tarlock, Distinguished Professor of Law, Chicago-Kent College of Law

“A must-read for both neophyte and veteran legal practitioners. Callies’ in-depth and insightful explanations and commentaries on Hawai‘i’s complex land use and planning laws provide a road map for understanding the state’s multi-layered regulatory scheme.” —Benjamin A. Kudo, Ph.D.

“With this magnificent new work, and its far ranging, comprehensive analysis – from the feudal land holdings of the monarchy to regulating McMansions – Professor Callies teaches and entertains us with tales of success and failure in Hawaiian land use and development law. There are lessons here for every one of us, all across this country.” —Dwight Merriam, Robinson & Cole

If the second edition is anything like the first, Regulating Paradise will occupy an frequently-used spot on our back bookshelf. More to follow.
Continue Reading New Book: Callies, Regulating Paradise – Land Use Controls In Hawaii (2d ed. 2010)