Hawaii County officials plan to sell a 3-acre Puna parcel owned by Del Dotto and his wife Yolanda in a Dec. 17 auction, saying the couple has failed to pay property taxes on the property since 1993.

The Puna land is one of 59 parcels held by various owners - including a 444.3 acre lot owned by resort developer Nansay Hawaii - that will be sold at the auction to recover delinquent property taxes, said Gary Kiyota, Hawaii County's real property tax administrator.

Kiyota said Del Dotto owes the county more than $2,119 in back taxes, penalties and other charges. He said Del Dotto can save the property from auction if he pays the amount due before Dec. 17.

Del Dotto could not be reached for comment.

Kiyota said that the county has tried unsuccessfully to contact Del Dotto at his Yountville, Calif. address since 1993 to discuss the back taxes. He said that Del Dotto also owes $900 in back-taxes on a separate, 3-acre parcel in Puna. Kiyota noted that Del Dotto is current on property taxes for a home he owns in Kona.

Del Dotto acquired the Kona house in 1992 for $490,000, Kiyota said.

If the Puna lot is sold at the auction, Del Dotto will be able redeem it within a year if he can match the buyer's offer price, plus expenses, Kiyota said. Bidding for the lot will start at the $2,119 price.

During the early 1990s, Del Dotto hosted a nationally syndicated television show featuring entertainer John Davidson and local celebrities. The investment shows touted a get-rich-quick investment kit known as the "Cash Flow System."

In April 1993, the Federal Trade Commission charged that Del Dotto, his wife and his Modesto, Calif.-based Del Dotto Enterprises Inc. used deceptive advertising for the Cash Flow System packages. The kits, which included manuals and several videotapes, retailed for $297 to $367.

The FTC and Del Dotto later settled with Del Dotto agreeing to refrain from making the allegedly deceptive claims.