Maui Council committee
delays vote on land buy

WAILUKU >> A Maui County Council committee has postponed voting on a resolution to contribute $1 million toward the purchase of 73.2 acres that include a heiau at Mu'olea.

Several council members said Tuesday that they supported acquiring the land, but at least two indicated they wanted a more detailed plan for maintaining the land.

"That has not been answered at this time," said Riki Hokama, chairman of the Council's Budget and Finance Committee.

The land, located between Hana and Kipahulu in east Maui, also once was the site of a summer residence for King David Kalakaua in the 1800s.

The committee is scheduled to review the proposal again at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 19 in the Council chambers in Wailuku.

Under the proposal, the federal government would give $2 million and the Trust for Public Land would contribute $1 million toward the $4 million purchase.

The trust, which is in the process of buying the land from Hanahuli Associates Inc., would then turn over the land to the county.

The proposal calls for nonprofit groups Kipahulu Ohana and Ho'onipaa No Hana Foundation to act as administrator, raising funds to restore the heiau and developing an education program.