Feds and IMO Move to Regulate Shipboard Emissions

By Mark M. Murakami on February 14, 2008

I had earlier posted on a pending bill in the State of Hawaii attempting to regulate the use of bunker fuel in Nawiliwili Harbor on Kauai, here. Ship emissions are also being discussed in the international arena (to wit: the International Maritime Organization or IMO), here, and nationally, here. This is the…

Mark M. MurakamiDirector

Mark Murakami practices in the firm’s Appeals, Business & Commercial Law, Construction Law, Land Use & Eminent Domain, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Real Estate, and…

Mark Murakami practices in the firm’s Appeals, Business & Commercial Law, Construction Law, Land Use & Eminent Domain, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Real Estate, and Wills, Trusts & Estates practice groups. His focus is on complex commercial disputes, land use negotiation and litigation, environmental, and general civil litigation. He has appeared in all federal and states courts in Hawaii, most of the administrative boards and commissions, and is licensed in the U.S. Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and Court of Federal Claims. He is rated “BV” by Martindale-Hubbell, receiving a rating of 4.4/5.0.

Mark is the 2025 President of the Hawaii State Bar Association (HSBA). Hawaii’s attorneys selected Mark for this leadership role in a statewide election in late 2022. He subsequently served as the 2023 Vice President and 2024 President-Elect. Founded in 1899, the HSBA is a mandatory professional organization for active and inactive licensed attorneys in Hawai. Its mission is to unite and inspire Hawaii’s lawyers to promote justice, serve the public and improve the legal profession. Mark was first elected by his peers to the 21-person HSBA Board in 2012 and was elected Treasurer from 2014 to 2017.

Mark has been appointed to a leadership position in the American Bar Association Section of Litigation. He will serve as Co-Chair for the Real Estate, Condemnation & Trust Litigation Committee and will be responsible for programming and publications for the nationwide membership.

Mark has been elected as the Hawaii member of Owners’ Counsel of America (OCA), an exclusive association of the nation’s leading eminent domain lawyers. Eminent domain is the legal process by which the government acquires private property for public uses, most often by forcing the owner to sell it. Membership in OCA is by invitation-only, and limited to a single member in each state. Members are selected for their experience and dedication in defending the constitutional rights of private property owners in eminent domain, inverse condemnation, regulatory takings, and other property rights matters.

Mark was elected a Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL). Admission to the College is by invitation only to lawyers who are distinguished real estate practitioners and who have contributed to the improvement of real estate law through a combination of speaking, writing, teaching, and serving on relevant boards and commissions. Founded in 1978, the College is comprised of more than 1,000 lawyers distinguished for their skill, experience, and high standards of professional and ethical conduct in the practice of real estate law.

Mark was awarded the CRE (Counselor of Real Estate) credential by The Counselors of Real Estate, an international association of experienced real estate practitioners including appraisers, lawyers, and brokers, who provide expert advisory services to clients on complex real property and land-related matters. Membership in The Counselors of Real Estate is selective and is extended by invitation only, attesting to the practitioner’s expertise and proven competence in his or her chosen area of real estate.

Mark once again was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2025 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for his work in Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain & Condemnation Law, Land Use & Zoning Law, Litigation-Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law, Trusts & Estates, Litigation-Real Estate, and Litigation-Trusts & Estates. He was also named the Best Lawyers® 2013 Lawyer of the Year Eminent Domain & Condemnation Law. Mark has been selected by Super Lawyers for over 10 years.

Mark was the Valedictorian of the Class of 1999 from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, William S. Richardson School of Law where he served as Articles Editor of the University of Hawaii Law Review. He has received numerous academic awards, including: Dean’s Scholar, Porter Scholastic Award (2 times); Awards for highest grade in Property I, Torts I, Contracts I, Corporations, and Professional Responsibility; Kono Award for Academic Achievement; Phi Delta Phi Professional Responsibility Award; HSBA Real Property and Financial Services Section Award.

He is also a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. He served for 13 years on active duty before joining the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve in 2005. During his time on active duty, he served on three different Coast Guard cutters, including command of a patrol boat in California. He spent four years assigned to the Fourteenth Coast Guard District Legal Office, prosecuting courts-martial, litigating cases in federal court as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, and advising Coast Guard officials on maritime, criminal, environmental and international law issues.

Mark has been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Coast Guard Commendation Medals and four Coast Guard Achievement Medals. He retired in July 2022 as a Captain, culminating thirty years of active duty and reserve commissioned service.

To view his blog on federal litigation and maritime law, in and around Hawaii and Oceania, please visit: www.hawaiioceanlaw.com.

Mark was born on Maui and raised in Kailua, Oahu. He is a graduate of Kailua High School and was active in the Castle Performing Arts Center.

Uncle Sam Wants More Info on Cargo Shipments

By Mark M. Murakami on February 12, 2008

Hat tip to International Trade Law news for its post on the proposed rule requiring information on cargo shipments. Uncle Sam says:

An importer, or person causing goods to arrive within the limits of a port in the U.S. would be required under the proposed rule to submit an Importers Security Filing within 24 hours…

Coast Guard Amends COFR Requirements

By Mark M. Murakami on February 12, 2008

The Coast Guard published its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking amending the OPA 90 COFR requirements. Included in this rule are increases in liability caps under OPA 90 and the removal of the requirement to have the Certificate of Financial Responsibility onboard the vessel.

Deadline for comment is May 8, 2008.

State Tries to Regulate Ships’ Fuels?

By Mark M. Murakami on February 12, 2008

One bill (HB2919) proposed for this session of the Hawaii Legislature purports to regulate the use of bunker fuel on ships in Nawiliwili Harbor on Kauai. The background is discussed here.

Haven’t fully digested yet, but the State of Hawaii only extends out three nautical miles, so any attempts to regulate shipboard operations (i.e.

California Sonar Litigation Comes to Hawaii

By Mark M. Murakami on February 12, 2008

The Advertiser reports on yesterday’s hearing in a pending lawsuit between Earthjustice and the U.S. Navy. This suit parallels the California sonar litigation posted here.

The funny side to the story is the "field trip" Judge Ezra and litigants will be taking on the USS O’kane. Note to the ship-riders: the little clear plastic…

P&I Club Urges Loss Prevention to Stop Container Losses

By Mark M. Murakami on February 12, 2008

North of England P&I club (think maritime insurance company, kinda) is urging shippers to adopt better loss prevention measures to stem losses of shipping containers, here.

Making Power from the Waves

By Mark M. Murakami on February 11, 2008

Interesting project on Maui reported in Pacific Business News.

Beach and Ocean Access in the News – Maui Boat Ramp

By Mark M. Murakami on February 11, 2008

Community support for State action to obtain (since it expired over 10 years ago) an easement to provide access to a boatramp on Maui is mounting, here.

Coast Guard Commandant Speaks to Press Club

By Mark M. Murakami on February 11, 2008

The U.S. Coast Guard Commandant spoke to the National Press Club last week. This video is a pretty good snapshort of some issues facing the service today, including Deepwater procurement program, shortfall in marine inspectors and right-sizing (read: increasing) the size of the Coast Guard. During the question/answer phase, he discusses Katrina, increased presence in…

Cruising to the Mainland – Mexico Stop – Part Cinco

By Mark M. Murakami on February 11, 2008

The buzz about the proposed interpretive rule governing passenger vessels transporting passengers between two U.S. ports, (posted earlier here, here and here) got more press today here.

Surf and Turf Law

Feds and IMO Move to Regulate Shipboard Emissions

Uncle Sam Wants More Info on Cargo Shipments

Coast Guard Amends COFR Requirements

State Tries to Regulate Ships’ Fuels?

California Sonar Litigation Comes to Hawaii

P&I Club Urges Loss Prevention to Stop Container Losses

Making Power from the Waves

Beach and Ocean Access in the News – Maui Boat Ramp

Coast Guard Commandant Speaks to Press Club

Cruising to the Mainland – Mexico Stop – Part Cinco

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