With support of the Kula Community Association, the Maui County Council is moving forward with the purchase of 273 acres of land for $14 million. The purchase mauka of the Kula Community Center is coming at a time when Kula residents want more open space and room for agricultural growth. Courtesy photo

The purchase of 273 acres of agricultural-zoned land in Kula passed on first reading Friday.

Maui County Council passed Bills 13 and 14, allowing the county to spend about $14 million for the land mauka of the Kula Community Center. A second reading and final reading is required before the bills become law.

The county administration hoped to have the purchase of the land owned by the Von Tempsky family completed by Jan 31.

Council vice chair Yuki Sugimura said she was grateful for the Von Tempsky family’s flexibility in allowing the purchase to close in early March.

The land, unoccupied by tenants, was formerly known as Kula Ridge Mauka.

Sugimura said $5 million of the $14 million has been placed in escrow for the Von Tempsky family. The county has about $9.1 million in carryover savings, and the remainder is to come from a government bond sale.

The purchase was proposed by Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen’s administration in an effort to develop and preserve agricultural lands in Kula.

Noting the need for open space and agriculture, the Kula Community Association has supported the purchase.

At an earlier meeting, Maui County Managing Director Nishita said the opportunity to purchase the land came up suddenly, and the land could be employed for various uses, including watershed restoration, grazing land, educational and agricultural activities and programs, park space and water source development.

He said the land has three residential water meters.

According to the state, water lines run across the land connecting upper Kula to lower Kula.

Council member Tom Cook, who supported the purchase, said a real estate venture has already expressed interest in the land and is willing to spend more than $100 million for the land and development.