Posted on: Friday, August 17, 2001

Apana proposes buying construction sites

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau

WAILUKU, Maui — Mayor James "Kimo'' Apana has decided that the best way to resolve the controversy surrounding two Maui developments is to buy the properties.

Apana yesterday told a County Council committee investigating the county's role in approving the projects that he wants the county to purchase the Montana Beach LLC residential development next to Baldwin Beach Park in Pa'ia and the planned Harbor Village shopping center in Lahaina. Both projects have been the target of public campaigns to overturn their approvals.

The mayor said he wants to enter negotiations to buy the 5.7-acre Pa'ia property, where three homes are in various stages of construction. A stop-work order was issued after a county attorney determined that shoreline permit exemptions had been improperly issued.

The mayor said he hopes to add the property to a proposed plan to connect parks along Maui's north shore.

Apana said he would like to negotiate the sale of the land, but as a last resort would consider condemnation. He said he has not spoken to the property owners.

Tom Welch, attorney for Montana Beach LLC, declined to comment.

As for the planned Harbor Village project, the mayor said he wants to use as much as $4 million from a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan program to buy the Front Street property, where developer JDI Limited Partners plans to build a $6.5 million retail center.

Apana said the Harbor Village site is historically and culturally significant and should be part of Moku'ula, a project that seeks to restore the Moku-

hinia Pond and the island residence of King Kamehameha III.

Terry Lee of JDI said yesterday the company would be willing to discuss a sale.