I have a long-running and good-natured contest with my Owners’ Counsel and ABA colleague Dwight Merriam about who gets items of interest “fastest with the mostest.” More than a few times has he sent me items, only to find out that we’ve already posted on the subject, or there is a post in the
Zoning & Planning
Does Hawaii Need An “Environmental Court?” (Part II)
Looks like they’re at it again, a solution in search of a problem: a bill has been proposed in the Hawaii Legislature to create an “Environmental Court,” whose mission would be to handle “environmental disputes” arising under a wide range of state statutes:
…administrative proceedings and proceedings for declaratory judgment on the validity of agency…
How Do You Solve A Problem Like … Appellate Mootness? More Process!
The Hawaii Supreme Court has been on a roll lately, giving us a series of decisions clarifying appellate procedure. So in the past couple of months, we’ve got cases about appealability, dismissing appeals for a brief not conforming to the rules, and what is a final appealable order. Good stuff for those…
The “Alternate Universe” Of Alabama Land Use
Reading the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision in City of Alabaster v. Shelby Land Partners, LLC, No.1120677 (Jan. 24, 2014), we are reminded of that episode of Star Trek where the gang accidentally ends up in a parallel universe, where things are all backwards. That’s the episode that probably started the meme that in order…
Coy Koontz, Prevailing Property Owner In SCOTUS Victory, Interviewed
Coy Koontz, Jr., the prevailing property owner in Koontz v. St. Johns Water Management District, No. 11-1147 (June 25, 2013) joined our Pacific Legal Foundation colleague Jim Burling for an interview on Fox and Friends.
Kudos to Jim and Mr. Koontz for getting down to the studio…
Cert Briefs In Admin Due Process Case
Here are the cert briefs in Kellberg v. Yuen, No. SCWC-12-0000266 (Haw. Jan. 22, 2014), the case in which the Hawaii Supreme Court held that there is only one “final decision” that a challenger must administratively appeal when objecting, and that due process requires the agency to give a challenger notice of the administrative…
HAWSCT: Triggers To Administrative Appeals Must Be Clear And Noticed
The Hawaii Supreme Court has issued an opinion that is very good for property owners and anyone who must use the administrative appeals process. [Disclosure: we represent the prevailing Petitioner in this case.]
In Kellberg v. Yuen, No. SCWC-12-0000266 (Jan. 22, 2014), the unanimous court, in a detailed opinion by Justice Pollack, held that…
31st Annual ALI-CLE Eminent Domain And Land Valuation Litigation (New Orleans)
Next week, we’ll be in New Orleans for the 2014 edition of the ALI-CLE Eminent Domain program, now in its 31st year.
As usual, my Owners’ Counsel colleagues Leslie Fields and Joe Waldo (the programming co-chairs) have put together a fantastic 2.5 day of programming, taught by expert faculty. At 11:00 a.m. on…
Cal App: County Can Condition Building Permit On Landowner Allowing Aircraft Overflight Easement
In Powell v. County of Humboldt, No. A137238 (Jan. 16, 2014), the California Court of Appeal held the County’s demand that landowners who sought an after-the-fact building permit for a carport and porch for their mobile home dedicate an overflight easement for the nearby Eureka airport did not run afoul of Nollan–Dolan…
Materials From State Bar Association Appellate Section Presentation: Admin Law Appeals
Here are the written materials from today’s HSBA Appellate Section presentation on administrative law and appeals in Hawaii courts.
A video of the presentation is posted above — it may be a bit dark, but no matter: all you really need is the sound, anyway. Listen to the audio-only session here:

