Best Lawyers in Hawaii, United States for Land Use and Zoning Law

A. Bernard “Bernie” Bays is a Director of the firm. Mr. Bays has over 50 years of experience and has successfully represented clients in numerous landmark Hawaii litigation cases and over 150 trials or arbitrations. Mr. Bays focuses his practice in the areas of complex commercial litigation, business litigation, real estate litigation, trusts and estates litigation, legal malpractice law-defendant litigation, real estate law and land use and zoning law. Mr. Bays is Board Certified...

Steve Lim is an Of Counsel in the firm's Honolulu. He has over twenty years experience on the Big Island, Maui, Kauai, and Oahu in all phases of the real property development process. Mr. Lim concentrates in advising clients on real property due diligence reviews, land use entitlements and administrative issues, including litigation of land use and real property disputes. In 2014, The Best Lawyers in America selected Mr. Lim as Lawyer of the Year (Hawai‘i)—Real Estate Law (Land Us...

Craig G. Nakamura is the Administrative Partner in the firm's Maui Office and is a member of the Litigation practice group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate and general corporate law. Mr. Nakamura has extensive experience in commercial real estate, civil litigation, construction disputes, foreclosures, mediation and arbitration. He was recently selected by attorney peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2018 in the fields of Litigation - Real Estate and Rea...

Rodd H. Yano is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Rodd H. practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii Best Lawyers has recognized Rodd H. Yano since 2019. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Rodd H. Yano is held by other lawyers.

William Meheula’s practice areas include complex commercial litigation, real estate litigation, legal malpractice, administrative law, divorce cases and Native Hawaiian rights. Mr. Meheula’s real estate litigation practice involves disputes concerning purchase and sale agreements, joint venture agreements, financial agreements, and regarding entitlement, condemnation, environmental, archaeological, and hotel and resort issues. His administrative law practice includes proceedings b...

Karl Kobayashi concentrates his practice in the area of commercial real estate with an emphasis on sales, acquisitions, leasing, financing and development. He also practices in the area of entitlements (land use and zoning law) and has represented clients in contested case and other regulatory proceedings before agencies such as the State of Hawai`i Land Use Commission, the Hawai`i Community Development Authority (Kaka`ako), the City and County of Honolulu Zoning Board of Appeals, the Maui Pl...

Duane R. Fisher concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate law, hotels and resorts, construction law, business structure and operations and commercial transactions. Mr. Fisher has represented a wide range of business organizations, from hotel owners, telecommunications companies, general contractors, Wall Street investment firms and multi-billion dollar energy development companies to closely held corporations and sole proprietors, in both private transactions and before federal an...

Greg Kugle concentrates his practice in the area of litigation. He works in the areas of commercial disputes and business litigation, construction, land use and real estate, antitrust, product liability and personal injury, aviation, bankruptcy, admiralty and insurance coverage. He has litigated cases before the Hawaii District and Circuit Courts, the Hawaii Bankruptcy Court and United States District Court, and has handled appeals before the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals, the Hawaii S...

Puananionaona P. Thoene is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Administrative / Regulatory Law, Energy Law, Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law and Water Law. Puananionaona P. practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii Best Lawyers has recognized Puananionaona P. Thoene since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Puana...

Terry is one of the most experienced real estate and restaurant attorneys in Hawaii and is a licensed real estate broker. In his roughly 40 years of practice, Terry has represented a "who's who" list of local and national developers, hoteliers, investors and entrepreneurs on a wide variety of Hawaii real estate acquisition, development, business, hotel and restaurant matters. Terry's current clients include Safeway, Inc., Parallel Capital Partners, Roy's Holdings, Inc., Outback Steakhouse, In...

Mark Murakami practices in the firm's Dispute Resolution, Real Estate, Construction, and Business & Commercial Law 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 administration 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 by Marti...

Ivan M. Lui-Kwan was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii. He has practiced law for over 55 years, focusing on Hawaii’s land use, administrative and real estate law. Mr. Lui-Kwan is highly involved in the community, bringing his legal experience to further goals which support Hawaii’s future. Mr. Lui-Kwan is a Director of the law firm. He is recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in the practice areas of Real Estate Law, Leisure & Hospitality Law, Land Use & Zoning Law,...

Ms. Ohira is a Director of the firm and concentrates her practice in the areas of real estate and land use law, hotels and resorts, business structure and operations, and commercial transactions. She brings more than 15 years of experience to her work on a variety of real estate acquisitions and sales, commercial leasing and commercial residential developments, including representing condominium associations and the creation of in condominium and community developments. Ms. Ohira’s comm...

Robert Strand is a partner in the firm's Honolulu office and is a member of the Real Estate, Land Use & Hospitality Practice Group. He concentrates his practice on complex real estate transactions, commercial leasing, equipment leasing, water law and public utilities matters. Mr. Strand is listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2018 for Real Estate. Representative Matters Commercial Leasing Represents the Ala Moana Shopping Center in connection with commercial leas...

Derek B. Simon is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Derek B. practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii Best Lawyers has recognized Derek B. Simon since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Derek B. Simon is held by other lawyers.

Kenneth B. Marcus is a founding partner and Director Emeritus of Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher. Before his retirement from the practice of law, Mr. Marcus practiced for more than 45 years in the areas of commercial real estate, development, finance, leasing, acquisitions and sales. Mr. Marcus also had extensive experience in Hawaii business law, including the formation of partnerships and limited liability companies and corporate finance. His real estate work included the developmen...