Aloha Chair Paltin, Vice-Chair U‘u-Hodgins, and Members of the Committee,
On behalf of Maui Land & Pineapple Company (MLP), mahalo for the opportunity to provide testimony regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the County of Maui and MLP. We are grateful to Chair Paltin for placing this matter on today's agenda, providing an opportunity for the Council and the public to hear directly from the Administration about its intentions for this proposed acquisition and the anticipated path forward following execution of the MOU.
The MOU represents an important first step in what we anticipate will be a thoughtful, transparent, and collaborative process.
This effort began with the County’s request to explore the transfer of MLP's West Maui and Upcountry water systems as part of its broader initiative to bring water resources under public management and strengthen its ability to support future housing opportunities for local families.
In response, MLP thoughtfully evaluated the potential transfer of its water assets, including interest from private-sector purchasers. After careful consideration, MLP determined that the County of Maui's vision most closely aligned with the company's renewed mission of stewarding its lands and assets in ways that create resilient communities for generations to come.
Our objective throughout this process has been to help facilitate the responsible transition of these water systems to public management in a manner that provides meaningful community benefit. To support realizing the County’s vision, we have offered to donate or discount the value of assets, where appropriate, recognizing the importance of creating a pathway that is financially responsible while advancing the public interest. By working together, we can increase capacity and improve resiliency to West Maui and Upcountry water systems while identifying opportunities for land to support much-needed housing for local families.
We are still in the early stages of the due diligence framework outlined in the MOU — which includes assessments, appraisals, and operational evaluations. MLP is committed to participating in this work transparently and in good faith as the County evaluates the proposed acquisition.
We appreciate the County's partnership to date and look forward to continued collaboration with the County Council, the Administration, and the community as this process moves forward. We remain committed to working together to ensure any future transfer is completed in a manner that serves the long-term interests of Maui and future generations.
Mahalo for the opportunity to provide testimony and for your thoughtful consideration of this important matter.
Kaheāwai Media has been reporting on Maui County's proposed water acquisitions in West Maui, and specifically the acquisition being considered by this committee in this meeting. See below for a summary of our reporting, which is based on dozens of conversations with kiaʻi wai, community leaders, and water experts who have extensive knowledge of West Maui's water systems.
The full story is available at: https://kaheawaimedia.com/2026/07/23/west-maui-water-intro/
The top things community said:
1. Reprioritize water for ʻāina and local communities — not private interests
2. Reclaim water systems from private interests — no more for-profit water
3. Community-led water policies — no more unaccountable government
4. Negotiate a good deal for taxpayers — no more corporate welfare
5. Reinvest in a water system that sustains Maui’s local economy — not extracts from it
Detailed versions below:
~~~
1. Reprioritize water for ʻāina and local communities — not private interests
The problem:
For far too long, Maui’s water policies have unsustainably and unfairly favored a few wealthy interests — not the environment or the broader public, as required by Hawaiʻi law.
The solution:
Maui MUST shift its policies to prioritize public trust, sustainable, and equitable uses before extractive uses like luxury homes, resorts, and golf courses.
The stakes:
Maui’s water use policies have already been causing harm for generations. Every moment the county delays changing how it stewards water, it jeopardizes water availability for current and future generations.
The community voice:
“Water should flow mauka to makai and the needs of public trust uses such as kalo farming in Honokōhau Valley must be met before any water is diverted out of the watershed for luxury housing, resorts, and recreational golf courses. The new climate reality requires our entire Maui community to be prudent with our precious water resources and protect them for future generations. Ola i ka wai! Water is life!” ~ Nā Mamo Aloha ʻĀina o Honokōhau
The Bissen administration:
“We’re not acquiring this water system just to take the place of someone else and do what’s been happening. We’re taking over the system because we think in the long run it will benefit our entire community.” ~ Mayor Richard Bissen
~~~
2. Reclaim water systems from private interests — no more for-profit water
The problem:
Privately owned water systems have consistently led to higher water prices, worse service, and more environmental harms than publicly owned systems.
The solution:
Getting water systems out of for-profit entities’ hands is a necessary and overdue first step.
The stakes:
Another billionaire-owned company is trying to buy MLP’s system to guarantee water for its golf courses.
The community voice:
“I think [MLP] sees the writing on the wall. There is a shift in sentiment around these institutions that have done so much harm to Hawaiʻi.” ~ Kaulu Luʻuwai
The Bissen administration:
“If we’re successful with both West Maui Land and [Maui Land & Pineapple] on these West Maui acquisitions, it would move public control and stewardship of our potable and drinking water systems from 45% percent in West Maui to 93% percent. There has been a lot of good public feedback and community feedback in relation to that… they do feel that the county is the right entity to manage for the public trust benefit.” ~ Josiah Nishita
~~~
3. Community-led water policies — no more unaccountable government
The problem:
Maui County controlling the system doesn’t guarantee better water use policies — especially when it has historically been a big part of the problem and eroded public trust.
The solution:
Maui County (and the state) must put clear policies and structures into place that ACTUALLY ensure community-led decision making, transparency, and accountability — whether through a water authority and/or other mechanisms.
The stakes:
While the Bissen administration said it’s committed to “long-term water stewardship for future generations,” nothing guarantees that future administrations won’t abuse county control of the water system to favor private interests
The community voice:
“Even if the county take over, it’s not like we can kind of kick back and kick up your feet and you just watch TV. You got to stay vigilant.” ~ Kekai Keahi
The Bissen administration:
“We have been community led, government supported from the very beginning, and we worked hard, very hard, to earn the trust of our community, and we’re not about to do anything to lose that trust.” ~ Mayor Richard Bissen
~~~
4. Negotiate a good deal for taxpayers — no more corporate welfare
The problem:
Our experts raised several concerns with the proposal: MLP won’t guarantee it owns what it’s selling, it wants NEW water credits from the county (on top of existing ones), and it wants the mayor to advocate for pro-development zoning changes.
The solution:
During negotiations is when the community has the most power to influence things by pressuring both Maui County and MLP to enact deal terms that prioritize the public trust and the public interest.
The stakes:
The public could regain control of water in West Maui. MLP wants to sell an aging water system in exchange for valuable water credits that will help it financially. The Bissen administration wants water out of private hands without a corporate bailout, while also dealing with pro-corporate politicians who could sabotage the deal.
The community voice:
“The plantations have been here for 150 years, made their fortunes, wreaked havoc on the community, caused cultural, environmental, social destruction, and now that time is over and they’ve depreciated their own assets to the point that they’re no longer getting any value out of it — [and now] they get this parachute from the government that they get to kind of ride off into the sunset and not have to clean up, so I understand that perspective [that this feels like a bailout of MLP]. ~ Dru Hara
The Bissen administration:
“The devil’s in the details. That’s really where this is going… They want something from us, we want something from them. And we’re both trying to get a good deal.” ~ Mayor Richard Bissen
~~~
5. Reinvest in a water system that sustains Maui’s local economy — not extracts from it
The problem:
For decades, MLP and others divested from their water systems and the people who maintain them in order to maximize profits for shareholders, contributing to an aging system and shrinking workforce. If Maui County takes over, our experts have questions about how it will maintain the system moving forward.
The solution:
Maui County must use its leverage as a government entity to secure funding that sustains the system for the long term — and the kiaʻi whose knowledge is invaluable to keeping that system working.
The stakes:
Whether and how Maui invests in the people power and other resources and knowledge needed to steward this system moving forward will have generational impacts for its communities, environment, AND economy.
The community voice:
“You need to build into the program a way to create jobs in the watersheds for the people that live there — so it’s not endless volunteer work… your kuleana is your kuleana, and you’re valued and you get paid for it.” ~ Lucienne de Naie
The Bissen administration:
“We’re always open to hear what people have to say about the systems and gaining their knowledge. We’re also open to actually hiring these people once we acquire the systems… and making them part of the department, if that’s what they prefer.” ~ Kimo Landgraf
Aloha Chair Paltin, Vice-Chair U‘u-Hodgins, and Members of the Committee,
On behalf of Maui Land & Pineapple Company (MLP), mahalo for the opportunity to provide testimony regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the County of Maui and MLP. We are grateful to Chair Paltin for placing this matter on today's agenda, providing an opportunity for the Council and the public to hear directly from the Administration about its intentions for this proposed acquisition and the anticipated path forward following execution of the MOU.
The MOU represents an important first step in what we anticipate will be a thoughtful, transparent, and collaborative process.
This effort began with the County’s request to explore the transfer of MLP's West Maui and Upcountry water systems as part of its broader initiative to bring water resources under public management and strengthen its ability to support future housing opportunities for local families.
In response, MLP thoughtfully evaluated the potential transfer of its water assets, including interest from private-sector purchasers. After careful consideration, MLP determined that the County of Maui's vision most closely aligned with the company's renewed mission of stewarding its lands and assets in ways that create resilient communities for generations to come.
Our objective throughout this process has been to help facilitate the responsible transition of these water systems to public management in a manner that provides meaningful community benefit. To support realizing the County’s vision, we have offered to donate or discount the value of assets, where appropriate, recognizing the importance of creating a pathway that is financially responsible while advancing the public interest. By working together, we can increase capacity and improve resiliency to West Maui and Upcountry water systems while identifying opportunities for land to support much-needed housing for local families.
We are still in the early stages of the due diligence framework outlined in the MOU — which includes assessments, appraisals, and operational evaluations. MLP is committed to participating in this work transparently and in good faith as the County evaluates the proposed acquisition.
We appreciate the County's partnership to date and look forward to continued collaboration with the County Council, the Administration, and the community as this process moves forward. We remain committed to working together to ensure any future transfer is completed in a manner that serves the long-term interests of Maui and future generations.
Mahalo for the opportunity to provide testimony and for your thoughtful consideration of this important matter.
Thank you,
Race Randle
Chief Executive Officer
Kaheāwai Media has been reporting on Maui County's proposed water acquisitions in West Maui, and specifically the acquisition being considered by this committee in this meeting. See below for a summary of our reporting, which is based on dozens of conversations with kiaʻi wai, community leaders, and water experts who have extensive knowledge of West Maui's water systems.
The full story is available at: https://kaheawaimedia.com/2026/07/23/west-maui-water-intro/
The top things community said:
1. Reprioritize water for ʻāina and local communities — not private interests
2. Reclaim water systems from private interests — no more for-profit water
3. Community-led water policies — no more unaccountable government
4. Negotiate a good deal for taxpayers — no more corporate welfare
5. Reinvest in a water system that sustains Maui’s local economy — not extracts from it
Detailed versions below:
~~~
1. Reprioritize water for ʻāina and local communities — not private interests
The problem:
For far too long, Maui’s water policies have unsustainably and unfairly favored a few wealthy interests — not the environment or the broader public, as required by Hawaiʻi law.
The solution:
Maui MUST shift its policies to prioritize public trust, sustainable, and equitable uses before extractive uses like luxury homes, resorts, and golf courses.
The stakes:
Maui’s water use policies have already been causing harm for generations. Every moment the county delays changing how it stewards water, it jeopardizes water availability for current and future generations.
The community voice:
“Water should flow mauka to makai and the needs of public trust uses such as kalo farming in Honokōhau Valley must be met before any water is diverted out of the watershed for luxury housing, resorts, and recreational golf courses. The new climate reality requires our entire Maui community to be prudent with our precious water resources and protect them for future generations. Ola i ka wai! Water is life!” ~ Nā Mamo Aloha ʻĀina o Honokōhau
The Bissen administration:
“We’re not acquiring this water system just to take the place of someone else and do what’s been happening. We’re taking over the system because we think in the long run it will benefit our entire community.” ~ Mayor Richard Bissen
~~~
2. Reclaim water systems from private interests — no more for-profit water
The problem:
Privately owned water systems have consistently led to higher water prices, worse service, and more environmental harms than publicly owned systems.
The solution:
Getting water systems out of for-profit entities’ hands is a necessary and overdue first step.
The stakes:
Another billionaire-owned company is trying to buy MLP’s system to guarantee water for its golf courses.
The community voice:
“I think [MLP] sees the writing on the wall. There is a shift in sentiment around these institutions that have done so much harm to Hawaiʻi.” ~ Kaulu Luʻuwai
The Bissen administration:
“If we’re successful with both West Maui Land and [Maui Land & Pineapple] on these West Maui acquisitions, it would move public control and stewardship of our potable and drinking water systems from 45% percent in West Maui to 93% percent. There has been a lot of good public feedback and community feedback in relation to that… they do feel that the county is the right entity to manage for the public trust benefit.” ~ Josiah Nishita
~~~
3. Community-led water policies — no more unaccountable government
The problem:
Maui County controlling the system doesn’t guarantee better water use policies — especially when it has historically been a big part of the problem and eroded public trust.
The solution:
Maui County (and the state) must put clear policies and structures into place that ACTUALLY ensure community-led decision making, transparency, and accountability — whether through a water authority and/or other mechanisms.
The stakes:
While the Bissen administration said it’s committed to “long-term water stewardship for future generations,” nothing guarantees that future administrations won’t abuse county control of the water system to favor private interests
The community voice:
“Even if the county take over, it’s not like we can kind of kick back and kick up your feet and you just watch TV. You got to stay vigilant.” ~ Kekai Keahi
The Bissen administration:
“We have been community led, government supported from the very beginning, and we worked hard, very hard, to earn the trust of our community, and we’re not about to do anything to lose that trust.” ~ Mayor Richard Bissen
~~~
4. Negotiate a good deal for taxpayers — no more corporate welfare
The problem:
Our experts raised several concerns with the proposal: MLP won’t guarantee it owns what it’s selling, it wants NEW water credits from the county (on top of existing ones), and it wants the mayor to advocate for pro-development zoning changes.
The solution:
During negotiations is when the community has the most power to influence things by pressuring both Maui County and MLP to enact deal terms that prioritize the public trust and the public interest.
The stakes:
The public could regain control of water in West Maui. MLP wants to sell an aging water system in exchange for valuable water credits that will help it financially. The Bissen administration wants water out of private hands without a corporate bailout, while also dealing with pro-corporate politicians who could sabotage the deal.
The community voice:
“The plantations have been here for 150 years, made their fortunes, wreaked havoc on the community, caused cultural, environmental, social destruction, and now that time is over and they’ve depreciated their own assets to the point that they’re no longer getting any value out of it — [and now] they get this parachute from the government that they get to kind of ride off into the sunset and not have to clean up, so I understand that perspective [that this feels like a bailout of MLP]. ~ Dru Hara
The Bissen administration:
“The devil’s in the details. That’s really where this is going… They want something from us, we want something from them. And we’re both trying to get a good deal.” ~ Mayor Richard Bissen
~~~
5. Reinvest in a water system that sustains Maui’s local economy — not extracts from it
The problem:
For decades, MLP and others divested from their water systems and the people who maintain them in order to maximize profits for shareholders, contributing to an aging system and shrinking workforce. If Maui County takes over, our experts have questions about how it will maintain the system moving forward.
The solution:
Maui County must use its leverage as a government entity to secure funding that sustains the system for the long term — and the kiaʻi whose knowledge is invaluable to keeping that system working.
The stakes:
Whether and how Maui invests in the people power and other resources and knowledge needed to steward this system moving forward will have generational impacts for its communities, environment, AND economy.
The community voice:
“You need to build into the program a way to create jobs in the watersheds for the people that live there — so it’s not endless volunteer work… your kuleana is your kuleana, and you’re valued and you get paid for it.” ~ Lucienne de Naie
The Bissen administration:
“We’re always open to hear what people have to say about the systems and gaining their knowledge. We’re also open to actually hiring these people once we acquire the systems… and making them part of the department, if that’s what they prefer.” ~ Kimo Landgraf