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45 acres of park lands, open space donated to county by A&B

A stretch of coastline that includes Baldwin and Baby beaches is seen in October. Alexander & Baldwin is donating this and other sections of land to the county. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

The Maui News

Alexander & Baldwin has donated 45 acres of park lands and open space to the county, including a stretch of beach on the North Shore that the county has been considering buying.

The 45 acres are broken into seven properties and eight Dairy Road parcels, including:

• Baldwin Beach Park (Kapukaulua), 17.5 acres.

• Baby Beach (Wawau Point), makai of Maui Country Club, 10 acres.

A map shows the location of seven properties and eight Dairy Road parcels that A&B is donating to the county. Image courtesy Maui County

• Shoreline between Mama’s Fish House and Hookipa Beach Park, 3.9 acres.

• Two additional parcels adjacent to Hoaloha Park in Kahului, 2.9 acres.

• Rainbow Park on Baldwin Avenue, 2.4 acres.

• Land adjacent to Hana Highway at Maliko Gulch, 1.4 acres.

• Dairy Road (eight parcels), Kahului, 6.9 acres.

Mayor Michael Victorino said the donation is the result of more than two years of negotiations and that the land will be protected for public recreation and use.

“There is no cost to our Maui County residents to acquire these lands from A&B, but the value in protecting these areas in perpetuity yields an immeasurable return for our local families today and for future generations,” Victorino said Friday.

The Maui County Council had been mulling a purchase of nearly 30 acres that included Wawau Point due to complaints from residents about illegal activity and erosion. Council Member Mike Molina, who holds the Makawao-Haiku-Paia residency seat and proposed the acquisition last year, said Friday that the land donation was “a lot more than what I’d expected.”

“Certainly the outcome was a lot more surprising, and I think it’s good and I look forward to the discussion in committee,” said Molina, adding that if it goes to the Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee that he chairs, he’d plan to have it heard as early as September.

The donation is subject to council approval, with the deadline for concluding the agreement for the donated lands set for March 31, 2023.

The land and any improvements on them will be conveyed in “as is” condition.

A&B will bear all costs for the land transfer, including the preparation of required deeds, recording and conveyance tax.

“Alexander & Baldwin looks forward to completing the turnover of these important lands to the County of Maui, where they can be stewarded for public use and enjoyment for generations to come,” said Chris Benjamin, president and CEO at Alexander & Baldwin.

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