A Special Weather Statement was issued today, Wednesday, February 17, 2010, following a number of water rescues in Maui County. The Maui Police Department reported a drowning and several rescues resulting from adverse wind, wave and water conditions.
At 11:56 a.m., Lahaina Patrol Officers were aassigned to a possible ocean rescue as two people were observed yelling for help from the area known as Black Rock in West Maui.
When police arrived at the scene, the victim was being pulled out of the ocean. Attempts were made to resuscitate the victim at the scene, however, they were unsuccessful. The victim was transported to Maui Memorial Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
The victim was later identified as Daniel Barney, 54, of Spokane, Washington.
County officials are advising the public to be extremely cautious of ocean conditions for the remainder of the day.
Swimmers, surfers and other marine interests are advised to be mindful of their skill level and remain out of the water and well away from areas of potential danger.
Beach goers are also urged to stay out of the water and well away from the shore break due to hazardous wave action and strong rip currents.
The advisory states: If caught in a rip current, do not try to swim against the current. Instead, swim parallel to shore until you are out of the current and then swim toward shore.
Maui Media toured the new Whole Foods Market in Kahului today that will become the chain’s first Maui store when it officially opens on February 24th. The 26,366 square-foot store will offer an array of natural and organic health and body care products. The inventory includes products from 44 local farmers, 29 of which are Maui based. The vendor list is even larger with more than 200 Hawaii vendors being used to stock shelves, 60 of whom are locally based Maui producers.
Courtesy Photo: Whole Foods Market Kahului.
Local products include orchids by Fragrant Orchids of Maui, jams and jellies by SoMoor, kombucha by Maui Kombucha and more.
“Whole Foods Market celebrates the great variety of local businesses and farms in Hawai`i that grow and make wonderful food, drink and body care products. We are delighted to continue to expand our selection of special local products for our shoppers’ enjoyment,” said Claire Sullivan, Whole Foods Market’s vendor and community relations coordinator.
“Opening our first Maui store presents a particularly exciting opportunity to support and highlight Maui producers, especially those in the farming and ranching community who contribute to the unique beauty and agricultural character of this island.” added Sullivan.
Much of the healthy kale and chard at the Kahului store’s produce department is grown at Rice Farms in Kula. Since 2006, Tom Rice has worked to create a diversified farm on his family property, learning which crops are happiest in the cool, sunny Upcountry climate.
Courtesy Photo: Whole Foods Market Kahului.
Located in Ulumalu in north Maui, Fragrant Orchids of Maui will supply the company’s Kahului store with a selection of potted orchids. The orchids will also be available for shipment to family and friends on the mainland.
Since 1997joy’s place has been offering meals on Maui’s south shore in Kihei, driven by a commitment to helping individuals achieve optimum health by serving food that has been simply prepared using fresh, organic ingredients. Whole Foods Market Kahului will be the second outlet for the line of live foods recently created by Joy and her partners Joe and Tyua. These live foods are nutrient-dense, plant-based foods that have been crafted without exposure to high temperatures, so they’re high in flavor, color and nutrition.
Pala`au, which means to heal with plants, is a line of Maui-made body care products that will be available at the Kahului store. They are based on a foundation of traditional beliefs, techniques and ceremonial processes from Hawaiian and Amazonian healers. Owner Stephanie Montanez creates and brews the products by hand in small batches on full moons. She makes them with focused herbal intentions, controlling their vibrancy, potency and freshness.
Maui producers whose items will be available at Whole Foods Market Kahului include:
Healing Dragons (vog tea)
Pala`au (body care)
Bee Kine (surf wax)
Rainbow Ridge Farm (goat milk soap)
Kula Herbs (soap)
Noni Biotech (noni juice)
Top Maui Restaurants (restaurant guidebook)
Aftersea Aesthetics (glass water bottles)
Ali`i Kula Lavender (lavender culinary creations)
Surfing Goat Dairy (goat cheese)
Maui Brewing Co. (beer)
Tedeschi Vineyard (wine)
Maui Cattle Company (beef)
Scott McKay (kiawe wood)
Anuhea Farms (asparagus)
Coca Farms (veggies)
Evonuk Farms (herbs and beans)
Fresh Island Herbs (vegetables & citrus)
Greenleaf Farm (yacon)
Zuhair Tamimi (tomatoes)
Hali`imaile Pineapple Co. (pineapples)
Hana Fresh (vegetables)
Hana Herbs and Flowers (pohole fern)
Kahanu Aina Sprouts (sprouts)
Kanoa Enterprises (taro, luau leaf & chili peppers)
Kapalua Farms (vegetables & fruit)
Kula Country Farm (strawberries, onions & daikon)
Kula Grown Organic Produce (zucchini, cucumber & lettuce)
Kumu Farms (papaya, herbs, tomatoes & pesto)
Kupa`a Farm (vegetables & fruit)
Maui Farmers Cooperative Exchange (cabbage & other vegetables)
Hawaiian Airlines filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) seeking approvals to introduce nonstop flights between Honolulu and Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport. If approved, the new service would provide twice-daily flights starting in late October.
The flight schedule is designed to meet the needs of travelers originating from the Tokyo area, with departures following a full day of work and dinner, and mid-day arrivals in time for hotel check-in and a first afternoon in Hawaii.
Both of Hawaiian’s proposed daily flights would depart Haneda shortly before midnight and arrive in Honolulu around noon the same day. The return flights would both depart Honolulu around 6:45 p.m. and arrive at Haneda around 10:00 p.m. the next day.
Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian’s president and CEO, said, “This new service combining the convenience of Haneda with Hawaiian Airlines’ award winning service would offer a new, superior travel product that will increase travel to Hawaii from Japan.”
The new route is in keeping with Hawaiian’s long-term vision to expand its service in Asia and create new economic and cultural opportunities for Hawaii. Japan is Hawaii’s second-largest market for visitors.
Hawaiian plans to serve the Honolulu-Tokyo route with its 264-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, and new 294-seat Airbus A330-200 aircraft, the first three of which will join the fleet in April, May and November of this year.
Some familiar names have surfaced on the campaign trail as election season gets underway on Maui. While as many as 20 people had pulled papers, only two had filed for candidacy so far, according to the last candidate report issued Thursday, February 11, 2010 by the State Office of Elections.
Board of Education Maui Representative Mary Cochran filed papers to run for the Makawao-Haiku-Paia Council seat that will be vacated by Councilmember Mike Molina, whose term limit expires this year. Others pulling papers for the seat include: Kahekai Nishiki and Leona Nomura, both of Haiku.
Term limits for Councilmember Jo Anne Johnson also leaves the West Maui seat up for grabs this year. Five people have already pulled papers for the seat, with Lahaina resident, Alan Fukuyama going one step further by filing papers for the post. Those pulling papers are: Eve Clute, Eleanora Cochran, Jonah Kapu and Paul Laub.
Other Familiar faces include Former East Maui Councilman Robert Carroll who pulled papers for his old seat; and former candidate Don Couch who pulled papers for the South Maui seat he sought in 2008.
The only incumbent Councilmember to pull papers was Michael Victorino, who currently represents Wailuku-Waihee-Waikapu on the County Council. Those seeking office have until July 20 to file nomination papers.
In the race for Mayor, three people have pulled papers since the Office of Elections opened candidate filing on February 1, 2010. Those pulling papers include: Valarie Aquino of Lahaina, Orion Kopelman of Kula and Harold Miller of Kihei.
In the race for the 2nd District U.S. Congressional House seat currently held by Rep. Mazie Hirono, three Maui residents and one Honolulu man have pulled papers. They are: Patric Brock (L) of Kihei, Antonio Gimbernat (R) of Makawao, Andrew Von Sonn (N) of Paia, and John Willoughby (R) of Honolulu.
Three Maui residents have pulled papers for House Seats including: Natalie Kama (D) of Wailuku for District 8; Ramon Madden (R) of Lahaina for District 10; and George Fontaine (R) of Kihei for District 11.
The Primary Election is set for September 18 with the General Election on November 2, 2010.
Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares will testify today before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Finance at the State Capitol. Tavares is expected to comment on House Bill 2598 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax or TAT- which proposes to suspend the distribution of revenues to the counties. The three year suspension, if approved, would run from July 1, 2010 to June 30 2013.
Tavares said that even with the county’s share of the TAT, Maui is facing a significant revenue shortfall of around $53 million. “Without the TAT, our shortfall jumps to $70 – $73 million,” said Tavares. “Making up for these shortfalls puts a huge burden on county taxpayers,” she said.
In written testimony dated February 16, 2010, Tavares said, “The TAT is not a hand out from the State to the Counties—it is a share of what is generated in each county.”
“The visitors will continue to pay the taxes, but if the State takes back our share, we will have an additional 17-20 million dollar shortfall that will have to be made up by County taxpayers,” said Tavares.
Tavares estimates that under the current formula, Maui County would receive 84 cents out of the $12.25 collected in taxes on a room that costs $100 per night.
Tavares said Maui County invests over $3 million in county funds to support the visitor industry. “We recognize the importance of this industry to the economic well-being of our County,” said Tavares. She continued, “The investment directly impacts how much TAT is collected.”
In her testimony, Tavares urged the legislature to examine all sources of state revenue including special funds and the state’s own taxing authorities.
“Shifting the responsibility from the State to the County property tax payers and the fee/rate payers for County services, is not fair and undermines the partnership with the State that we have enjoyed in the past,” said Tavares.
The County of Maui is demanding a jury trial in a lawsuit it filed last week against Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Inc. The county claims it was stranded with $44.2 million in debt instruments when the firm abandoned its practice of supporting auctions for the SLARS or Student Loan Auction Rate Securities.
According to the docket filed with the U.S. District Court of Hawaii, the County of Maui purchased the securities on or after August 16, 2007. The suit claims the firm abandoned its practice of supporting SLARS auctions on or about February 13, 2008, claiming it could no longer sell the securities at par.
Today, the County of Maui owns $32 million of SLARS that are not liquid.
The County of Maui further claims it would not have purchased SLARS at all if it had known of the grown risks associated with the investments.
SLARS are secured by pools of student loans guaranteed by government agencies under the Federal Family Education Loan Program.
Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares is expected to comment on the litigation during a press conference in Honolulu later today.
A Forum on the Akaka Bill will be held tonight, Tuesday, February 16, 2010, with speakers presenting both sides of the debate. The bill was crafted to establish a process for Native Hawaiians to gain federal recognition.
Flyer Courtesy: MCC Hawaiian Studies Dept.
Speakers in support include Boyd Mossman, Robin Danner, and Blossom Feiteira; those against include Kaleikoa Ka’eo, Henry Noa and Leon Siu.
The Akaka Bill forum runs from 6 to 8 tonight at the Student Lounge, Pilina Building at Maui Community College. The event is sponsored by the MCC Hawaiian Studies and Hawaiian Language Departments, as well as the Ho’okahua Project.
Maui County began work today on a sidewalk installation project on Kea Street in Kahului. The new sidewalk is being installed on Kea Street between Holua Street and Papa Avenue.
Photo by Wendy Osher.
The contract was awarded to Zoe Builders and is expected to be completed by February 26, 2010, barring any weather delays.
Work will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Motorists and pedestrians are advised to use alternate routes during the construction period. Those traveling through the area should expect delays, due to lane closures, and should use caution and observe all signs and traffic control personnel in the area.
(Posted by Wendy Osher; Supporting information courtesy County of Maui)
The 2009 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational basketball tournament hosted by Chaminade University, generated an estimated $6 million in visitor spending and revenue for Maui businesses. According to the latest data released by the Maui Visitor’s Bureau, the tournament welcomed thousands of out-of-state visitors, each spending an average of six days on Maui.
Since its inception, the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational has generated more than $140 million for Maui’s economy.
“The EA SPORTS Maui Invitational is an unbeatable marketing tool for the island of Maui,” said Chip Bahouth, general manager of The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. “It is an invaluable event for Ka’anapali and the entire island of Maui, because it brings the beauty and magic of Maui to millions of viewers. We are very fortunate to have such an iconic event and hope that it stays in Ka’anapali for many years to come,” said Bahouth.
In 2009, the tournament was viewed by an estimated television audience of 4.4 million via the ESPN network.
“The Tournament has been a part of Maui’s economic landscape for nearly 30 years,” said Tom Valdiserri, senior vice president of KemperSports, operator of the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational. “We were proud to partner closely with fantastic Maui businesses to support positive momentum in travel and tourism in the fourth quarter of 2009,” said Valdiserri.
The 2010 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational will celebrate a powerhouse year as Connecticut, Kentucky, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Virginia, Washington, Wichita State and host Chaminade University of Honolulu vie for the coveted early-season title Nov. 22-24 at Maui’s Lahaina Civic Center.
(Posted by Wendy Osher; Supporting information courtesy: EA SPORTS Maui Invitational)
ESPN today announced it will air the season opening game of USC at Hawaii on Thursday, September 2nd. The game was included on the network’s 2010 college football schedule, and is also posted on the USC athletic department website. The game time has not yet been announced.
Forty-five Youth Conservation Corps members will participate in a day of service on Monday, February 15, 2010 to restore Maui’s Kanaha Pond in Kahului. The group will work to remove invasive plants, plat native species, and remove a fence to improve accessibility for future restoration efforts.
Kanaha Pond is a 234-acre wetland adjacent to industrial buildings, commercial centers, and the Kahului Airport. The pond is home to three endangered Hawaiian birds: the Hawaiian coot (‘alae ke‘oke‘o), Hawaiian stilt (ae‘o), and Hawaiian duck (koloa). More than 80 species of migratory shorebirds, waterbirds, and ducks also frequent the pond. Native plants including makaloa and kaluha, species favored by Hawaiians for mat making, are also found at Kanaha.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife was awarded funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to engage the youth in protecting and preserving Hawai‘i’s natural and cultural resources as members of the Recovery Youth Conservation Corps. The Corporation for National and Community Service awarded the competitive funding to DLNR.
In her fourth State Of The County Address today, Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares challenged the state administration and the Legislature to examine other sources of revenue before cutting the counties share of income from the hotel room tax.
Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares, State of the County 2010. Photo by Wendy Osher.
“Taking away the TAT revenue from the counties breaks a promise and shifts the tax burden for these costs from the visitors to local residents,” said Tavares.
Tavares said, without the Transient Accommodation Tax revenues, the county’s shortfall will rise from $50 million to $70 million. Fellow Mayor Mufi Hannemann agreed with Tavares saying the counties at the end of the day are the key to the visitor industry.
“You can do all the marketing in the world. But if people don’t feel that it’s safe to visit Maui, the Big Island, Kauai and Honolulu, they will not come. That’s what we do: we’re the home of the first responder, we fix the infrastructure, we maintain the parks, we’re there 24-7. So that’s a very important message that was said today,” said Hannemann.
In addressing the county’s economic climate, Tavares said she wants no part of the layoffs seen at the state level. She said the options are simple: a combination of raising revenues and cutting spending.
“In my mind, we must have a combination of those choices—reduce services and raise revenues—to find a balance that will enable us to keep our community strong,” said Tavares.
Looking ahead to the future Tavares said, the county’s “quest for energy independence through renewable energy resource development is one of the most important programs our county can pursue to ensure success in the future.”
Legendary singer and heartthrob, Julio Iglesias, will make Maui a stop on his 2010 Starry Night World Tour. Iglesias will serenade Maui audiences in Castle Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Tuesday, March 16, 2010.
Photo courtesy MACC.
The new world tour was named “Starry Night” after Iglesias’ third English album, which earned record-breaking sales in more than 50 countries. As part of the tour, Iglesias performs in concerts on all five continents in a variety of intimate settings featuring his romantic songs.
In his 42 year career, Julio Iglesias has garnered 2,600 platinum and gold records, performed more than 5,000 concerts in 600 cities around the world, and more than 60 million people have seen him perform live.
Julio has sold more albums that any other Spanish-speaking artist in history. His hits include Hey!, Manuela, Me Olvidé de Vivir, Abrázame, Un Canto a Galicia, To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before, and Crazy.
Tickets go on sale to MACC members on Wednesday February 17 and will be available to the public on Wednesday, February 24 for $65, $80, $95 and $125. To order, call the Box Office at 808-242-SHOW (7469) or go online to MauiArts.org. Presented by the Maui Arts & Cultural Center; a Tom Moffatt Production.
Council Vice Chair Michael Molina is seeking a continued appropriation for affordable housing. Under a charter amendment approved four years ago, 2% of real property tax revenues go towards building and expansion of affordable housing opportunities for families within very low to moderate income levels.
The current amendment expires after this year, while the new proposal seeks a continuation through 2015. If revenues stay consistent, Molina says an estimated $4 million could be generated annually for the Affordable Housing Fund.
“We can’t afford NOT to set these revenues aside to help our families find affordable housing and put our people back to work,” said Molina. “this charter amendment should not only be viewed as an affordable housing initiative, but also an economic stimulus,” said Molina.
According to the National Association of Home Builders, the construction of one home generates the equivalent of 3.05 full time jobs for an entire year.
Over the last three fiscal years, the County council appropriated more than $13 million to the Affordable Housing Fund from the 2% real property tax revenue. The council has reportedly appropriated over $10 million for approximately 240 affordable housing units.
Over the last three fiscal years, none of the proposed affordable housing projects, as requested for appropriation by the Department of Housing and Human Concerns, have or will assist families above 80% of the county’s median income.
“The Moderate to gap income families are working teachers, police, fire fighters and hotel employees that are making money, but are unable to afford to save for descent housing,” said Molina. “If we do not do something to help these individuals, we will lose them to the mainland and they will have to be separated from their families,” Molina said.
Hawaii local census offices are hoping to hire more than 3000 temporary workers to assist in the effort of counting the state’s population for the 2010 Census. Officials say an estimated 300-400 people will be hired in Maui County. Temporary jobs of up to two months include census takers, enumerators and crew with pay ranging from $12.75 to $20 per hour.
“We need to hire more than 1400 workers to provide coverage to the neighbor islands and the Waianae coast of Oahu, as well as 1700 part time census workers to canvass local communities in Honolulu,” said Kelly Kaawa, Waianae’s Assistant Manager for Recruitment.
The recruitment effort is focused on finding workers who come from the communities they will serve and whose language skills match local areas. Neighborhoods in particular which need census workers include: Hanalei, Kauai; Puna and Kau, Hawaii; Hana and Waiehu, Maui; the entire island of Molokai and the Waianae coast of Oahu.
Workers will be paid for training and receive weekly paychecks. The new hires, whose jobs begin in May, will follow up with residents who do not complete and return the 2010 Census questionnaire. The questionnaires are expected to reach Hawaii mailboxes in mid to late March.
A house committee this week advanced the Hawaiian Homes Casino bill with amendments. HB2759 would allow the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to construct and operate gaming facilities with the condition that revenues are reinvested into the community. Additionally, the bill requires that beneficiaries be consulted for approval of any plan before a proposed casino can be constructed. Under the bill 80% of revenues would go toward the DHHL trust, and 20% would go to the state’s general fund.
The House Committee on Judiciary has passed an amended version of the bill originally introduced by Representative Mele Carroll (D-13th) of Maui. Carroll said she is, “optimistic that this bill will empower the Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries by providing another option to generate the funding required to improve their infrastructure and social programs.”
DHHL puts between 500 to 1,000 beneficiaries from the waitlist on their lands per year. Although the state has provided $30 million each year in their budget as a result of 1995 Act 14 which addressed the $600 million dollar settlement, DHHL said that their waitlist has tripled and there are now nearly 25,000 applicants on the waitlist. That are also an additional 100 to 200 qualified applicants that are added to the waitlist each month.
“I’m worried that once the $30 million dollars allocation goes away in 2015, DHHL will not be able to meet their obligation and therefore, the State will have to look for other means of making up the $30 million including raising taxes,” said Representative Mele Carroll. “While I’m not attached to the idea of gaming, DHHL testified that they don’t have an aggressive plan to create revenues to fulfill Article XII section 1 of the Hawaii State Constitution which says that the State has a fiduciary responsibility to provide adequate funding to place native Hawaiians on their lands. The properties that DHHL has leased out to non-native Hawaiians for commercial purposes are not enough. Kaulana Park has estimated that the DHHL operating budget is $18 million dollars, whereas their current revenues from commercial leases are generating only $12 million,” said Carroll.
“We need to look at all possibilities and make sure that the beneficiaries are informed of the truth,” said Carroll. “I am open to anyone’s suggestions in creating revenues for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands because right now, no one has stepped up to the plate and offer solutions to this devastating situation. The discussion is good, and if this bill doesn’t get out and no other alternatives are offered, we may need to consider raising taxes as a solution to DHHL’s dilemma. At this time, everything is on the table for discussion,” Carroll said.
“If this measure becomes an act, it could have great possibilities if done right… We are going through a severe recession right now, and as we deliberate our state of affairs, everything is on the table. So it is important that we be creative and weigh all of our options in addressing the state’s fiduciary responsibility to provide adequate funding to the State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Trust, especially since the allocation of $30 million dollars goes away in 2015,” said Carroll.
The amendments made to the bill clarify that the Hawaiian Home Lands Gaming and Hawaiian Home Lands Commissions would be required to do beneficiary consultation before a casino and resort gaming facility is built. “As this bill moves forward,” said Carroll, “we want to make sure that there aren’t a lot of resort casinos on Hawaiian Home Lands, but possibly one or two, with the consent of the beneficiaries, if that is their will.”
(Posted by Wendy Osher; supporting information provided by the Office of Rep. Mele Carroll)
The Maui Toyota dealership in Kahului began processing fixes on the 2010 Prius Hybrid yesterday, just hours after a voluntary recall went into effect. By early afternoon five Prius owners had already taken their vehicles in for recalibration and an upgrade on the vehicle’s anti-lock break software.
Photo by Wendy Osher.
The Kahului dealer has also extended hours of service with mechanics working from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In all there are about 460 cars in the state that are affected by the latest recall. Nationwide, there are an estimated 133,000 2010 Model Year Prius Vehicles affected.
The Kahului service department began calling Maui customers on Tuesday, notifying them to come in as soon as possible for the update. Owners will also receive notifications by mail in the next few weeks as the company ensures owner notification to those registered through the Department of Motor Vehicles.
In a notification released by the company yesterday, officials said, “Maui Toyota thanks their customers for their continued loyalty and patience during this recall and will do their best to remedy this situation as quickly as possible.”
The State Department of Taxation will delay payment of tax refunds for 2009. The action to delay payment until July 1, 2010 is being taken to mitigate the state’s projected $721 million revenue shortfall. Tax officials say delaying the refunds will provide an estimated one-time savings of $275 million which will go towards balancing the state budget.
The Tax Department will release refunds beginning in July on a first-in-first-out basis, ensuring that early filers receive their refunds first.
State tax officials say the action complies with the legally allowed 90-day refund period. Under current Hawai‘i law, if the director of taxation approves a refund voucher within 90 days from the due date or the date the return is filed, whichever is later, and the refund check is mailed 45 days from the date of the director’s approval, no interest is paid. However, if either of these time limits is exceeded, interest will be paid.
For faster receipt of refunds, taxpayers are advised to have their refunds directly deposited into their bank account by providing their bank routing number and account number and indicating the type of account (savings or checking) on their individual net income tax returns. Direct deposits will be the most efficient way to receive refunds.
The refund delay was originally announced in the executive supplemental budget that was submitted to the Legislature on December 21, 2009. Beginning July 2010, taxpayers may contact the Taxpayer Services Call Center during business hours at 808-587-4242 or 1-800-222-3229 (toll free) for information on the status of their refunds.
The House Judiciary Committee this afternoon will hear bills relating to the legalization of gaming in Hawaii. The bill was introduced by Rep. Mele Carroll of Maui. HB2759 seeks establishment of casino gaming operations on designated Hawaiian Home Lands parcels.
File photo courtesy Office of Mele Carroll.
The measure would impose a wagering tax on gross receipts with 20% going towards the State’s general fund and 80% going toward the Hawaiian Home Lands trust. Carroll introduced the bill in part to provide a mechanism in which DHHL could generate funds independently and diminish its reliance on the state.
DHHL currently earns about $16 to $17 million dollars in commercial lease properties and gets $30 million appropriated annual through the legislature because of a prior lawsuit, with the allocation due to expire in 2015.
DHHL officials say approximately 25,000 applicants for Hawaiian Home Lands have been waitlisted and the department is only able to process between 500 and 1,000 applications per year with current funding.
In a media release issued last week, Representative Mele Carroll said, “I’m introducing this bill not as a commercial enterprise, but as a mechanism that would allow DHHL to decide whether they want to consider gaming as a way to put more people onto Hawaiian Home Lands and to better fund their infrastructural and social programs.”
In addition to generating funding for DHHL and its beneficiaries, this bill is also aimed at invigorating Hawai`i’s economy by creating jobs for those in the construction and entertainment sectors as well as boosting hotel occupancy.
The Makena Beach and Golf Resort will be sold at auction under an order issued by a Maui Judge.
Circuit Court Judge Shackley Raffetto appointed Honolulu real estate developer and broker Cris Lau as Commissioner to sell the property in an effort to satisfy the unpaid mortgage debt on the property.
The marketing company for the property issued a media release today saying the property is expected to be sold at public auction in April 2010 to pay the current mortgage dept in excess of $192.5 million.
The resort, formerly known as the Maui Prince Hotel, is located on the slopes of Haleakala and includes substantial property adjacent to a secluded beach on the southwestern Maui coast.
”While ownership of the property will change hands, no one expects any changes for employees, visitors and guests,” the release said. Chris Lau, the court appointed commissioner, stated, “My job, ordered by the court, is to transition ownership since the current owners could not pay the mortgage. I expect the resort to operate ‘business as usual’ throughout this process.”
The hotel has been managed by Benchmark Hospitality International since September 17, 2009 with oversight by attorney Miles Furutani, the court appointed receiver.
Kelly Lewis, general manager of the Makena Beach and Golf Resort, said, “The performance at the resort has improved substantially. We are excited about the improvements we have been able to offer in guest experience and look forward to announcing our new restaurant and lounge offerings next month.”
Barry Sullivan, attorney for the foreclosing lender, stated, “We have complete confidence in Mr. Lau and look forward to concluding this process over the coming months. Thanks to the work of Benchmark and the receiver appointed last September, resort performance has not only stabilized but we see very positive momentum and we look forward to that continuing,” said Sullivan.
After the auction is held, confirmation by the court and closing is expected to take another three to four months.
The resort has been owned since July of 2007 by a joint venture between affiliates of Everett Dowling and a Morgan Stanley real estate fund. That venture borrowed $192.5 million of mortgage debt and an additional $227 million of debt that was not secured by the mortgage.
Wells Fargo, as trustee for the mortgage debt, initiated foreclosure in August of 2009 after the venture defaulted on its mortgage and other debt obligations. To oversee resort operations and transition to new management, court-appointed receiver Miles Furutani will remain in possession of the resort until closing with the new owner.
PRG NEWS WITH WENDY OSHER 