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Maui County briefed on nonbinding MOU to explore buying Maui Land & Pine water and land assets
Summary
County management told the Disaster Recovery, International Affairs and Planning Committee that a nonbinding May 18, 2026 MOU would begin due diligence on acquiring Maui Land & Pine Company water systems and related land; staff said acquisitions could raise public stewardship of West Maui drinking water from about 45% to 93%.
County managing director Josiah Nishita told the committee that a nonbinding memorandum of understanding signed May 18, 2026 between Maui County and Maui Land & Pine Company would launch due‑diligence work on a possible acquisition of water infrastructure and certain parcels in West Maui and Upcountry. "The acquisitions taken together ... will lead to a change in public stewardship of West Maui's drinking water systems from about 45% to 93%," Nishita said during his presentation.
Nishita emphasized the MOU is a framework for negotiations, not an asset purchase agreement: it outlines terms for document exchange, title review and appraisals but does not bind the county to buy. He said county staff will conduct preliminary title reports and appraisals, and return to Council with any offer and a resolution for approval. The administration noted the FY27 budget includes funding considerations for potential acquisitions but that any binding purchase would require Council authorization.
Committee members used the informational briefing to press staff on specific elements they want clarified in due diligence — appraisals, condition assessments, title warranties and whether Maui Land & Pine will indemnify the county for contested titles — and to ask that the administration provide materials before budget or acquisition votes. Chair Tamara Paulton closed the session by deferring the item pending receipt and review of the requested due‑diligence documents.
