Funds for Muolea Point buy approved

The Maui News
Wednesday, September 22, 2004

By ILIMA LOOMIS, Staff Writer

WAILUKU - Maui County Council members were unanimous Tuesday in approving almost $1 million in county funds toward the purchase of Muolea Point in Hana.

In a separate unanimous vote, council members also gave final approval to using a federal grant of about $2 million for the acquisition through an agreement with the Trust for Public Land.

Mayor Alan Arakawa signed the bills Tuesday afternoon, praising the appropriations that will finalize the purchase of 73 acres of culturally and historically significant lands in Hana.

"We're that anxious to have it done," he said.

He called the arrangements a "milestone" and praised the collaborative effort that brought it to pass. He also looked ahead to future deals to acquire open space.

"So many people are working diligently together toward securing our coastal resources, because if we don't make headway now, if we don't acquire our remaining coastal resources as quickly as possible, they will be gone," he said in a written statement.

"With this vote, the council has given the community effort to protect Muolea a huge lift and tremendous momentum," said Josh Stanbro, the trust's project manager in Hawaii. "We are grateful for Mayor Arakawa's vision and the council's dedication to protecting this coastal area."

The trust arranged for the acquisition with an agreement with the current landowner to purchase the land to preserve it in open space for $4 million.

Facing a deadline to buy the property, the trust borrowed about $4 million in July to allow the deal to move forward while the county finalized its funding of the deal. The sale is now in escrow.

Maui County is to buy the property from TPL for a discounted price of $3 million. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provided a little over $2 million in grants to the county to use toward the purchase, while other agencies provided funding to the trust for the remaining $1 million.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees last week approved a $342,000 grant for the purchase, while the state allotted $100,000.

Council members on Tuesday reiterated their support for the project.

"I can't begin to put into words how much this will mean in the future," said Council Member Robert Carroll of the Hana district.

"The community is solidly behind this," added Council Member Charmaine Tavares.

Arakawa noted that Tavares and Carroll already have organized a community group to develop a management plan for future uses of the property, which adjoins a larger parcel already set aside as a preserve through a private foundation.

Supporters and members of the Hana community turned out Tuesday to ask the council to pass the funding.

"I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you for all you are bringing forth for the people who will come there in the future," said Kula resident Hillary Harts.

Tweetie Lind of Kipahulu said East Maui residents, especially Hawaiians with ancestral ties to the Muolea area, long had held a "vision" for the area, and she said they should be allowed to help plan the area's future management.

"Politics is not part of us," she said. "Sometimes we don't like to do it, but sometimes we have to do it."

East Maui Sen. J. Kalani English reminded council members that there were long-standing questions about rights to the land, adding that the county should serve as "trustees" of the land on behalf of the community and Native Hawaiians with ancestral ties.

"The Hawaiian families will always have a moral claim on that land," he said.

Muolea Point has been noted for its historic sites, which include a summer home used by King Kalakaua; its significance as a fishing spot and its cultural importance to Native Hawaiians; and its native species and natural resources.

The county's share of the price tag amounts to $996,200, to come from the county's Open Space Preservation Fund, which voters established in a 2002 County Charter amendment. The fund sets aside 1 percent of annual real property tax revenues to be used for land purchases to preserve open space and natural resources.

TPL is still fund raising with a goal of an additional $300,000 to cover purchase costs.

Ilima Loomis can be reached at iloomis@mauinews.com.

Copyright © 2003 The Maui News