Disaster Recovery, International Affairs, and Planning Committee Meeting - July 29, 2026\n\nThe committee met to discuss a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the County of Maui and Maui Land & Pineapple Company (MLP) regarding the potential acquisition of water infrastructure assets and related real property in West Maui and Upcountry. The meeting included presentations from the Department of Management and Department of Water Supply, public testimony, and extensive committee discussion. No legislative action was taken.\n\n### Public Comments & Testimony\n- Greg (in-person): Expressed full support for the acquisition, emphasizing the importance of public water stewardship, fire suppression, and addressing housing needs through water system integration.\n- Tyler Sonamaker (Cahale via Media): Summarized community feedback from dozens of interviews: desire to reprioritize water for local communities and Native Hawaiians (Kānaka Maoli), reclaim water systems from private interests, ensure taxpayer-favorable negotiation, reinvest in infrastructure, and move toward community-led governance. Stated that private water systems historically led to higher prices, worse service, and environmental harms.\n- Phone testifier 4945: Raised concerns about public access to offices and meetings, and expressed appreciation for some county staff.\n- Royal Patented Kingdom representative: Argued that lands under royal patents from Kamehameha III are not subject to county jurisdiction, demanding return of lands to descendants.\n- Paʻela Kiyokona (Honokōhau Valley resident): Supported removing private entities from public trust water resources, but expressed concern about water credits tied to development that could prioritize luxury over affordable housing. Requested full public transparency of the MOU and consultation with kuleana landowners affected by diversions.\n- Kapali Keahi (West Maui community member): Stressed that Kānaka Maoli must have decision-making authority in water governance. Argued that mere transfer from private to government ownership does not change governance unless communities are centered. Noted that MLP's history of injustice should not entitle them to future water holdings for luxury development.\n\n### Discussion Items\n- Presentation by Managing Director Josiah Nishita and Deputy Director Landgraf (Dept. of Water Supply):\n - The MOU is non-binding and outlines a framework for due diligence. It does not authorize any purchase; final council approval would be required.\n - Goal: restore public stewardship, increasing public ownership of West Maui drinking water systems from ~45% to 93%.\n - Water assets: Honokōhau Ditch system, wells (including drilled/undeveloped), reservoirs, pump stations, and easements.\n - Non-water elements: county support for zoning changes on three parcels (Makawao, Hāliʻimaile, Honokiana) for housing; water source credits (existing balance of 911,520 gallons/day from prior agreement); long-term lease of Pūʻukukui watershed.\n - Due diligence and appraisals expected by fall/winter 2026, with aim to bring a resolution to council thereafter.\n - MLP submitted testimony expressing commitment to the process and alignment with county goals.\n- Committee Questions and Member Positions:\n - Members asked about the definition and process for county-supported zoning changes, appraisals, audits, liabilities, water credits tracking, and relationship to the Upcountry water meter list.\n - Several members (Chair Paltin, Batangan, Lee, Sugimura, Johnson, Cook, Rawlins-Fernandez, Sinenci, Uʻu-Hodgins) expressed general support for acquiring water assets, but with caveats:\n - Strong preference to separate water asset purchase from land entitlements and zoning changes.\n - Concerns about converting agricultural land to residential, especially adjacent to active pineapple farming (Maui Gold).\n - Desire for housing developed on any rezoned land to be affordable, owner-occupied, or placed in a community land trust to serve local residents, not luxury.\n - Need for full due diligence including title reports, condition assessments, and audits of MLP’s financial status and liabilities.\n - Several members noted that water credits should not be used for luxury or golf course development.\n - Members Batangan and Rawlins-Fernandez requested that the fourth amendment to the water purchase agreement (regarding credits) be transmitted to the committee.\n - Managing Director Nishita indicated that administration is open to discussing mechanisms for ensuring affordability and that council input on negotiation priorities is welcome.\n\n### Key Outcomes\n- No action taken: The item was informational only; no vote or legislative action occurred.\n- Deferral: Chair Paltin deferred the item, stating it will be brought back after the administration receives and reviews preliminary due diligence documents, title reports, appraisals, and the asset purchase agreement as requested by member Batangan.\n- Next Steps: The committee will reconvene on the item later in 2026 after the due diligence process advances and the administration can provide more concrete information. The MOU is valid through May 18, 2027.\n- Administrative request: Members asked for written follow-up on the Honoapiʻilani Highway (Hui Road) subdivision request and for copies of relevant existing agreements.