Ex-Beatle’s beach
spat settled
confidentially

The deal will keep others off
George Harrison's property

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By Gary T. Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.com

WAILUKU >> The long and winding road over use of a path through former Beatle George Harrison's Maui estate has come to an end.

Harrison and his neighbors have agreed to a settlement that allows him privacy.

"No one is entitled to go across Mr. Harrison's property," said his attorney, Paul Alston. "The parties were all satisfied with the terms of the settlement."

Alston yesterday said persons involved in the lawsuit have agreed to keep the terms of the settlement confidential.

Those involved in the litigation included Donna Ann Barrett, Scott H. Whitney, Steven Gold, Snapper Cay Acquisitions Inc. and Ralph H. Waite, who played "Pa" on the TV series "The Waltons."

The dispute started in the early 1990s after Harrison objected to his neighbors using the path to get to the beach. The neighbors claimed they had a right to use it. Lawsuits followed.

At one point during the dispute, Harrison said he would sell the property if the court ruled against him.

Asked if Harrison would continue to own his home, Alston said he could not speak about his client's future plans or whether he would to continue to live there.

The Hawaii Supreme Court last year overturned then-Maui Circuit Judge E. John McConnell's ruling that recognized a pedestrian path existed across Harrison's property.

Supreme Court justices said the facts of the case showed there were genuine issues that could not be decided by McConnell's summary judgment, and sent the case back to Maui Circuit Court.

An attorney for Harrison said his client has been worried about the security of his family. A Maui woman was arrested on Dec. 23, 1999, after she was found in his Maui home eating a pizza and doing her laundry.

Seven days later, a knife-wielding attacker severely wounded Harrison in his mansion in West London.

Harrison has said he did not know there was an easement on the 60-acre property in Nahiku, East Maui, when he bought it some 20 years ago.

"It was settled to everyone's satisfaction," said attorney Max W.J. Graham Jr., whose clients included Waite.