On May 2 the Maui County Council adopted a resolution expressing support for the county’s intent to acquire real property in Kanekakai and elsewhere on Molokai and to execute a memorandum of understanding with the Molokai Heritage Trust to pursue those acquisitions.

The resolution frames the effort as a response to community goals for restoring local stewardship and ensuring county facilities that serve Molokai residents are held in perpetuity for public use. The council’s text says many community facilities on Molokai are currently held under lease and could be vulnerable to future changes in private ownership or lease terms.

The resolution does not itself purchase property; rather it states the council’s intent — subject to later legislative action — to appropriate at least $30 million toward acquiring properties used by county facilities and other lands of interest to Molokai. Administration staff and Molokai representatives told the council that further steps would include appraisals, formal negotiations and subsequent individual acquisition approvals and appropriations.

Councilmembers emphasized the resolution is an expression of intent to begin a process of acquisition and partnership with Molokai Heritage Trust. The item passed on a recorded vote with seven ayes and two members excused.

What’s next: The county and Molokai Heritage Trust will pursue a memorandum of understanding, complete appraisals and report back to the council. Any acquisition and appropriation will require later council action and funding approvals.