A new memorandum of understanding between Maui County and Maui Land & Pineapple Co. sets the stage for the county to acquire MLP's West Maui water infrastructure.
In an announcement Monday, the county says this move marks the first phase of a broader effort that aims to also secure other private water systems in Olowalu and Launiupoko.
"This will increase public stewardship of West Maui's drinking water systems from 45% to 93% while supporting much-needed housing development for local residents," the announcement notes.
If the acquisition is approved, here are the West Maui water assets the county stands to gain, according to the announcement:
- Honokōhau Ditch System, including its ditch and associated tunnels, siphons, pipelines and key reservoirs.
- A long-term ground lease for the 8,661-acre Puʻu Kukui Watershed Preserve to maximize rainfall capture and retention for surface water and groundwater systems in West Maui.
- Four Honokōwai aquifer wells in the Kahana ahupuaʻa.
- Three Honolua aquifer wells in the Honokahua ahupuaʻa.
- Two proposed, new Honolua aquifer well sites in the Mailepai ahupuaʻa.
- Proposed 50-acre, approximately 120-million-gallon reservoir site to support the County’s Mahinahina water treatment facility.
- Kahana Pump Station
An existing upcountry well in Piʻiholo would also be acquired, along with land for additional well sites and water storage, and non-water infrastructure assets that include a Mokuʻula land parcel, Kahana roadway and land in Hāliʻimaile for a police substation and a fire station, the county says.
Additionally, the MOU also "creates opportunities for the county to increase workforce and affordable housing supply for local families," the county says.
"We want to restore balance in our community," Mayor Richard Bissen said in a video posted to the county's Facebook page. "Part of that comes with making sure we have an adequate water supply that we can provide not only for homes being built, but for emergency response, for agriculture, for environmental uses. This is a long-term, generational resource."
Throughout 2025 and into 2026 alone, much of Maui County experienced varying drought conditions. (You can find current and historical drought conditions here).
"As this severe drought has demonstrated, Maui needs greater interconnected infrastructure and system resiliency to ensure reliable service during emergencies, including drought and wildfire events," MLP CEO Race Randle told Aloha State Daily in an emailed response to questions. "More interconnected systems create important redundancy and operational flexibility, helping ensure water can continue flowing where it is needed most during critical moments while also supporting the rebuilding of Lahaina and future housing opportunities for local families.
“Since I became CEO, MLP’s leadership team has focused on realizing the full potential of the company’s assets to help meet Maui’s needs today and for future generations," he continued. "The MOU represents an important step toward strengthening Maui’s long-term, island-wide water security while also supporting efforts to expand housing opportunities so local families can continue to live and thrive on Maui."
Randle says that a strategic review of the company's water infrastructure began in early 2025 and MLP has been in active discussions with the county for roughly a year.
The agreement, Randle says, "reflects a shared commitment to responsible stewardship of Maui’s water resources and long-term resiliency planning for the community.”
If successful, the transition of water assets into public stewardship would be a "positive outcome" for both the county and the company, he told ASD.
“MLP has been a careful and responsible steward of these lands and water systems for generations, and we are encouraged by the county’s commitment to continue that stewardship for the benefit of the Maui community," Randle says. "MLP’s Honokōhau Ditch System is highly efficient and continues to deliver water from Honokōhau Stream to offstream users whenever sufficient water is available for diversion and in accordance with state regulations. We believe this collaboration can help build on that foundation and create a more resilient and sustainable future for Maui.”
According to the county, the purchase price will be established through formal county appraisals and system assessments, but as of Monday, estimates were not yet available.
Conditions of the final sale are still being negotiated and the acquisition must be approved by the Maui County Council.
Bissen earlier this year announced that the county is in negotiations with MLP, Kamehameha Schools and West Maui Land to acquire "key water system assets" that include the Olowalu and Launiupoko irrigation and water companies, the announcement noted.
"If successful, water systems in West Maui, including both drinking and irrigation, will transition from 25% to 65% publicly owned," the county says. "More importantly, public stewardship of drinking water systems in West Maui will increase from 45% to 93%, representing a major step toward ensuring this essential resource is managed in the public trust."
Maui Land & Pineapple was founded in 1909 and today stewards more than 22,000 acres of land and approximately 247,000 square feet of commercial properties.
The MOU comes months after a lawsuit filed last summer in Maui Circuit Court alleged that MLP failed to maintain its Honokōhau ditch system to the detriment of nearby property owners and businesses.
TY Management Corp., the owner and operator of the Kapalua Plantation Golf Course — where the PGA previously hosted the Sentry, which was ultimately canceled this year — and Kapalua Bay Golf Course; Hua Momona Farms LLC; Plantation Estates Lot Owners' Association; Association of Apartment Owners of the Coconut Grove on Kapalua; and the Association of Apartment Owners of the Ridge at Kapalua filed the complaint.
MLP later made a counterclaim, accusing TY management of breach of contract for failing to responsibly reduce its water use during drought conditions.
A second suit filed last September by TY and the Plantation Estates Lot Owners’ Association, accused MLP of improperly annexing land to seize power within the Kapalua Resort Association.Trials for both cases are long way off. The former suit has a trial date scheduled in March 2027, and the latter has a trial date in June 2027.
Aloha State Daily reporter Michael Brestovansky contributed to this article.
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Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
