May 18, 2026

In a historic meeting, the County of Maui announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Maui Land & Pineapple Co. Inc. (MLP) to acquire its West Maui water infrastructure, which includes the water supply to the Kapalua Resort.  This acquisition is the latest in an effort to provide more security to West Maui residents an move one of the county's most valuable resources away from private companies and into the hands of the government. 

Maui County has many privately held water companies, which are a vestige of the old sugar and Pineapple Companies.  A lack of water has been cited as a barrier to building much-needed affordable housing for local residents in the wake of the Lahaina fire. 

In addition to the hopeful acquisition in Kapalua, the County is also taking steps to acquire additional private water systems in Olowalu and Launiupoko.  If the County is successful in these negotiations, potable and non-potable water systems in West Maui will transition from being 25% to 65% publicly owned.

Per MLP's website: “This monumental move by County government to acquire private water systems represents our commitment to long-term water stewardship for future generations,” Mayor Bissen said. “Transitioning Maui Nui water resources to the public trust strengthens the County’s ability to improve water resiliency and support critical affordable housing projects, traditional and cultural practices, emergency response, agriculture needs and environmental protection. This MOU caps a year of negotiations with MLP, and we appreciate their willingness to engage and work collaboratively toward solutions that provide long-term public benefit."
What is the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)?

MLP's website states, "the MOU is a formal declaration of intent that establishes a framework for the County acquiring MLP’s West Maui water system, along with select Upcountry water infrastructure and other MLP assets. In addition to the transition from private to public ownership of water systems, the MOU also creates opportunities for the County to increase workforce and affordable housing supply for local families.

The MOU provides the framework for the transfer of the following MLP West Maui water assets to the County of Maui:

  • Honokōhau Ditch System, including its ditch and associated tunnels, siphons, pipelines and key reservoirs.
  • Puʻu Kukui Watershed, a long-term ground lease for the 8,661-acre 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

As part of the agreement, an existing Upcountry well in Piʻiholo would also be acquired, along with land for additional well sites and water storage, as well as non-water infrastructure assets. The non-water assets include a Mokuʻula land parcel, Kahana roadway and land in Hāliʻimaile for a Police substation and a Fire station."

The purchase requires a formal due diligence process, including appraisals and system assessments with conditions of sale to be negotiated and is subject to the approval of the Maui County Council.  It should be noted that these privately held water systems feature ditch systems in varying conditions.
 
How does this affect water to the Kapalua Resort?
An article from Maui Now published on May 18, 2026 notes "Hawai‘i Water Service also purchases water from Maui Land & Pineapple and delivers it to about 1,500 customers in Kapalua. Bissen said Hawai‘i Water Service’s contract would still be honored after the acquisition, but they would be purchasing water from the county instead of Maui Land & Pineapple." 
 
In 2025, Kapalua was dramatically affected by drought.  This resulted in the closure of the Plantation and Bay golf courses, and culminated in the loss of the Sentry Tournament of Champions, which had been held in Kapalua from 1999-2025.  The owner of the golf course, TY Management and MLP are currently in litigation.  
 
One of the remarkable elements of Kapalua, is the sheer amount of land in conservation that surrounds the resort.  The Pu'u Kukui Watershed is a preserve.  With "a mission to protect and restore the native Hawaiian forest that captures the rain and provides our water", the Aloha Pu'u Kukui Foundation has added 3817 new plants to the forest in 2025, and continues in the reforestation efforts.  To donate or volunteer, visit: https://www.alohapuukukui.org/
 

For more information on MLP, visit www.mauiland.com. For more information on the County of Maui, visit www.mauicounty.gov.  More information on the litigation between TY Management and MLP can be found at www.kapaluawater.org

 

 
 
 
Posted by Courtney M. Brown on

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