Oprah buys land
from Maui ranch
WAILUKU >> Television host Oprah Winfrey and her former personal trainer have bought 1,000 acres of Haleakala Ranch land in Upcountry Maui.
Willard "Buzz" Stluka, president of Haleakala Ranch, said the land was being bought to be used as pasture land and for personal use by Winfrey and trainer Bob Greene, who has been a business partner with her on Hana land purchases.
Stluka said the sale includes an agreement allowing the ranch to graze cattle on the land.
"It's a win-win situation," Stluka said. "They still wanted to continue it as now."
Stluka declined disclosing the purchase price but said the deal, recorded Thursday, is being treated as a Section 1031 tax-deferred land exchange.
The ranch, which still owns 31,000 acres, will use the proceeds to buy income-producing property on the mainland, Stluka said.
The land purchased by Green's Kamaole Ranch LLC is mauka of the main road through Ulupalakua and overlooks Kihei.
Greene, a physiologist, and Winfrey are co-authors of a fitness book, "Make the Connection."
In April 2002 they bought 105 acres in Hana that include the historical Ka Iwi O Pele geological feature and the old Mokae Point landing. At the time of the sale, Hana Ranch Partners said the two promised to conserve the environment and open space of the area.