Feds Have New Plan for Disasters…er, Responses

By Mark M. Murakami on January 24, 2008

Thanks to cgblog.org for their post on the new National Response Framework published by the Department of Homeland Security.

This framework "adds" on to the National Response Plan and is used for interagency (federal/state/local) responses to incidents. In the maritime context, the National Response Plan was frequently used for pollution incidents and cleanup.

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.

California Sonar Litigation and Hawaii

By Mark M. Murakami on January 22, 2008

The Garden Island reports about the impact of the Navy Sonar litigation in California and the potential impact on similar litigation over the use of sonar in Hawaii.

I posted about the litigation and President’s memorandum here.

TWICs and Small Businesses

By Mark M. Murakami on January 22, 2008

Maui News reports on the difficulties posed by the TWIC implementation at Kahului Harbor. I discussed TWICs here. TWIC implementation nationwide has been challenging on several levels. Hopefully, these transition issues can be sorted out and the nation’s ports can become more secure.

Cruising to the Mainland – Mexico Stop Part Tres

By Mark M. Murakami on January 22, 2008

The proposed interpretive rule originally posted here is drew some attention from states and companies involved in the cruise industry. Maine’s comments were the subject of this Honolulu Advertiser article.

Comments received by the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection as of January 22, 2008 are here.

Growing Pains of Aquaculture – EIS?

By Mark M. Murakami on January 22, 2008

Honolulu Advertiser reports that the Kona Blue Water fish farm is seeking permits to increase the size of their operation off the Kona coast of the Big Island. Opponents sought a "contested case" hearing and an Environmental Impact Statement before granting the expansion request. This is one to watch because ocean-based aquaculture is touted as…

Maui Harbor EIS hits the News

By Mark M. Murakami on January 22, 2008

Today’s Advertiser ran a story about the Maui Harbor Improvement EIS. I posted the EIS here.

One thing is certain. In the wake of the Superferry dispute, any development of the harbor areas will be contentious. Hopefully, there is a chance for consensus.

Cosco Busan Preliminary Investigation Finished

By Mark M. Murakami on January 16, 2008

Coastguardnews.com reports here that the Incident Specific Preparedness Review initial report on the Cosco Busan incident has been sent to Coast Guard Headquarters with public release expected in two weeks.

This review "While not an investigation, the ISPR process is an administrative assessment rooted in Coast Guard marine safety directives. It provides a method for…

That Was Fast – President Overturns Injunction Against Navy

By Mark M. Murakami on January 16, 2008

President Bush has invoked an exemption of the Coastal Zone Management Act and effectively overturned the federal court’s injunction against the Navy’s operations off the coast of California, posted here.

The President’s memorandum is here.

“Anti-Whalers” Held on Japanese Ship

By Mark M. Murakami on January 16, 2008

News reports that several "Anti-Whalers" from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society were being held on a Japanese whaling vessel near Antarctica after they boarded the vessel.

Representatives of the Japan Institute for Cetacean Research called the act of boarding "piracy". Under Art. 101 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea:…

Reserve Rights Or Lose Defense of Unseaworthiness – So Says Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

By Mark M. Murakami on January 14, 2008

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals recently held that an insurer waived its right to rely upon the defense of unseaworthiness by not issuing a "reservation of rights" letter before making payments on a maritime insurance policy.

In North American Specialty Insurance Company v. Debis Financial Services, Inc., at issue was the sinking of…

Surf and Turf Law

Feds Have New Plan for Disasters…er, Responses

California Sonar Litigation and Hawaii

TWICs and Small Businesses

Cruising to the Mainland – Mexico Stop Part Tres

Growing Pains of Aquaculture – EIS?

Maui Harbor EIS hits the News

Cosco Busan Preliminary Investigation Finished

That Was Fast – President Overturns Injunction Against Navy

“Anti-Whalers” Held on Japanese Ship

Reserve Rights Or Lose Defense of Unseaworthiness – So Says Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

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