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Committee defers proposed open‑space amendment after Salvation Army swap clarification; county identifies Wailuku parcel
Summary
Committee deferred Bill 8 after the administration explained the Salvation Army is not currently offering the Lahaina parcel for sale and is instead seeking assistance to locate an alternate site. The administration proposed buying a 0.41‑acre Wailuku parcel adjacent to county land in Kaihu Bay; appraisal and purchase‑price figures were provided.
The Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee heard a Rule 7B discussion of Bill 8, a proposed FY2025 amendment to Appendix A (part 2) that would remove the existing condition authorizing acquisition of a Lahaina parcel at 131 Shaw Street and add a new condition authorizing acquisition of a 0.41‑acre parcel at 104A Lower Beach/Waihu Beach Road in Wailuku for $500,000.
Managing Director Josiah Nishita told the committee the Salvation Army indicated it is not currently interested in a cash sale of the Lahaina property and prefers help identifying an alternate parcel within Lahaina — potentially a land swap — so that it can continue providing services to the town. "They are more interested in us helping them to another property within Lahaina, as opposed to just a straight up, cash for land transaction," Nishita said.
Budget Director Leslie Milner provided an appraisal and purchase‑price clarification: the Wailuku parcel appraisal was $411,000 and the negotiated purchase price is $480,000. Milner said that if the amendment is approved, removing the $1.3 million contingency for the Lahaina parcel would leave about $800,000 in the open‑space fund. The proposed Wailuku parcel is adjacent to existing county property at Kaihu Bay and the administration described it as a conservation acquisition to protect the shoreline.
Committee members asked about stewardship, management and long‑term responsibility for the property. Staff said a local group has a right‑of‑entry and the county would consider lot consolidation or a long‑term lease to place the parcel within the county's conservation holdings. Members also asked about taxpayer exposure and how the Salvation Army would be supported if it needs acreage to rebuild or expand services; staff said they will follow up with the administration’s recovery and public‑assistance teams.
Public testimony was closed; no members of the public signed up to speak. The committee deferred the bill pending submission of the acquisition documents, appraisals and follow‑up information from the administration and recovery teams.
