Mu'olea purchase gets new deadline

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau

The deadline to purchase East Maui's Mu'olea Point and save it from development has been extended until July 31.

Teresa McHugh, director of the Hawai'i office of the Trust for Public Land, said landowner Hanahuli Association Ltd. offered another extension on the land deal after it became clear more time was needed to raise money.

The Trust for Public Land and the Hana-based Ho'onipa'a No Hana Foundation originally faced a March 31, 2003, deadline to come up with $4.05 million for the 70-acre property, described as rich in natural and cultural resources. With fund raising moving slowly, however, the deadline was extended until the end of 2003, and now it's been moved back again.

The campaign received a boost recently when Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa proposed up to $1 million in the county's budget to help buy the land. The Maui County Council must agree for the donation to go forward.

Last year the campaign received a $2 million federal appropriation through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program.

If fund raising is successful, the Trust for Public Land will purchase the land and give it to Maui County. The Ho'onipa'a No Hana Foundation will hold a conservation easement restricting development and requiring local input in land management.

King Kalakaua maintained a summer home at Mu'olea — on the coast between Hana and Kipahulu — until his death in 1891, and it was passed to his sister, Queen Lili'uokalani.

Archaeological features include the remnants of a fishing village and a heiau. Natural resources include native goby fish, or 'o'opu, as well as shrimp, or 'opae, in Ala'alaula Stream at the property's edge.

The land is now being used for pasture, but rural zoning could bring development of up to 140 homes.

Reach Timothy Hurley at thurley@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 244-4880.