Gordon Arakaki

Background and Experience – Gordon M. Arakaki, Attorney at Law, LLLCGordon M. Arakaki has been in practice in Hawaii for over 30 years (since 1984) and has a wealth of experience in both the public and private sectors, as well as substantial experience working with communities, businesses, and government.● Government Affairs/LobbyingGordon has served as the Chief of Staff/Committee Clerk of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means (i.e., the Senate committee responsible for crafting the State’s budget and accounting for all measures with fiscal impacts) (2007-2008, 2000), and as Staff Attorney/Committee Clerk for the Senate Committee on Education and Technology (1999) and Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Information Technology (1997-1998). He also served as Sen. David Ige’s Campaign Manager for his House and Senate races (1986-2013) and was part of the core team for Governor Ige’s historic gubernatorial campaign.With that background and experience and a lifetime spent earning trust and respect, Gordon helps clients navigate the complex law-making processes of the State Legislature and county councils.● Condominium law; Real property lawSpecifically regarding property development, Gordon understands and has experience in the process from beginning to end – from obtaining land use approvals, to crafting master association declarations of covenants, conditions, and restrictions and condominium project documents, to advising condominium and community associations. From this broad perspective, Gordon is able to imagine and implement creative and practical solutions to problems faced by developers, condominium and community associations, and government.Gordon’s interest in land use law and development began early. While in college (Pomona College, Class of 1980), he worked for Alexander & Baldwin’s Properties Group and designed a community association that would be responsible for maintenance of what ultimately became the Maui Lani project. While in law school, he won the American Planning Association, Hawaii Chapter, 1984 Student Essay Competition for: “The Aftermath of Nukolii: A Call For Legislative Reconstruction of Hawaii’s Vested Rights Rule Through Development Agreements.”After beginning his legal career prosecuting cases for the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Regulated Industries Complaints Office (RICO Employee of the Year in 1986), Gordon worked primarily in the area of land use law and policy for eight year