A 2-year-old nonprofit group has signed an agreement to acquire 1,600 acres of rugged Moloka'i coastal property from Molokai Ranch at no cost.

The binding deal between ranch parent company Molokai Properties Ltd. and the Molokai Land Trust is subject to due diligence, but is expected to result in gifting the land to the nonprofit trust for preservation.

The land covers five miles along Moloka'i's north shore, and includes rocky cliffs, an extensive tidal pool system, fishing shrines and ancient adze quarry.

Known as the Mokio parcel, the area between 'Ilio Point and Mo'omomi is regarded by Molokai Enterprise Community as the most environmentally significant land owned by Molokai Ranch, and also includes bird nesting sites and an acre of the endangered endemic Hawaiian 'ihi'ihi lauakea plant that is estimated to be the largest concentration in the state.

Molokai Land Trust plans to create a land management plan for the site that will include community access and monitoring of natural and cultural resources.