Kapalua golf course owner sues Maui Land and Pineapple over water billing
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The owner of the Kapalua golf courses has filed a federal fraud and racketeering lawsuit against Maui Land and Pineapple Company and its executives over the Honokohau water system.
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The lawsuit filed by TY Management alleges Maui Land and Pineapple CEO Race Randle oversaw fraudulent billing that increased irrigation water rates for the golf courses and potentially for other Kapalua water users.
The lawsuit also alleges internal emails show Maui Land and Pineapple falsified billing records to charge customers for repairs to the ditch system that were the company’s responsibility.
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Maui Land and Pineapple responds
Maui Land and Pineapple said the golf course owner is using the courts to force the company to sell the water system.
The company issued a statement that read: “We believe this lawsuit is simply another effort to pressure MLP into transferring the system to him. That pressure will not change our commitment to stewarding this critical resource. MLP has already prevailed in one of the many proceedings TY has brought against it, and we believe this case is no different: the claims lack merit, and we will defend against them. We refuse to be bullied by a billionaire who seeks control of the system while refusing to pay his fair share of the costs to maintain it.”
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The company previously announced plans to sell the system to Maui County.
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