Breaking News Alerts

We'd like to send you alerts when breaking news happens. Hide this Message

Press "Allow" to Activate

Search
Aloha, !
My Profile | Logout
Aloha, Guest!
Login | Register
  • News Topics
    • Front Page
    • Maui News
    • 2022 Election
    • Business
    • Food & Dining
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Real Estate
    • Crime Statistics
    • Local Sports
  • Weather & Surf
    • Weather Forecast
    • Surf Report
  • Lifestyle & Culture
    • Maui Arts & Entertainment
    • Food and Dining
    • On the Menu
    • Real Estate
    • Obituaries
  • Opinion
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Maui Discussion
    • Reader Survey
  • Events Calendar
    • Upcoming Maui Events
    • Map of Events
    • Post an Event
  • Job Listings
    • Maui Jobs
    • Recent Job Listings
    • Job Alerts
    • Post a Job
  • Special Sections
    • IMUA Discovery Garden
    • Medical Minute
  • Video
    • Latest Maui Videos
  • × Close Menu
  • About Maui Now
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Information
  • Get the App
  • Advertising
  • Meet the Team
Choose Your Island:
  • Kauai
  • Maui
  • Big Island
Copyright © 2023 Pacific Media Group
All Rights Reserved

Privacy Policy | About Our Ads

Maui Now
Search
Aloha, !
My Profile | Logout
Aloha, Guest!
Login | Register
    Maui Now
  • Sections
  • Maui News
  • Business
  • Weather
  • Entertainment
  • Election
  • Real Estate
  • Jobs
  • Obituaries
  • Opinion

Real Estate

County moves to buy land under Kula community center, tennis courts in foreclosure sale

By Kehaulani Cerizo
February 18, 2023, 6:00 AM HST
* Updated February 18, 7:46 AM
Play
Listen to this Article
3 minutes
Loading Audio... Article will play after ad...
Playing in :00
A
A
A

The tennis courts at Kula Community Center offer a view of Upcountry and Central Maui. Archive photo: County of Maui

About seven acres of land beneath Kula Community Center and tennis courts are slated for public foreclosure sale in a couple weeks — but residents, including tennis and pickleball players, are hoping the county can net the parcel.

The 7.043-acre parcel at 4355 Lower Kula Road is scheduled for a public foreclosure sale at 10 a.m. March 3 at Hoapili Hale, Wailuku courthouse.

Kula resident Steven Sutrov on Friday asked that the County of Maui do “whatever is necessary” to acquire the land. 

“It’s an asset that deserves to be taken care of and completed one day to accommodate us all,” he testified during Maui County Council’s regular meeting. He added that the area’s master plan calls for more tennis courts, parking and open space.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

Laura Loney, a pickleball player, said the facilities are well-loved and well-used. 

“Since the county has already invested a lot of money into building the courts and the facility there, it makes sense to purchase this property,” she testified.

Bruce Harris, who’s lived in Kula for more than 40 years, urged the county to purchase the land. 

“It was with great surprise to learn the county did not own the land beneath the Kula Community Center and the playing courts,” he said.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

Introduced by the mayor’s administration, a resolution to authorize the land’s acquisition at public auction was adopted with amendments by the Maui County Council in a 9-0 vote on Friday night. Now, the ball is in the administration’s court.

The resolution authorizes the mayor or the mayor’s duly authorized representative to attend the public auction and place a bid on the property, or in the alternative, negotiate a sales price and execute all necessary documents in connection with the acquisition of the property.

Last year’s total assessed land value of the property is $874,400, according to the resolution. Maui County Code requires that the council authorize by resolution any acquisition of real property with a purchase price that exceeds $250,000.

Kula Ridge Mauka LLC in 2006 bought the land from Von Tempsky FP. The sale was not on the open market, and the purchase price is not recorded with Maui Real Property Tax. 

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

Over time, Kula Ridge defaulted on payments to Von Tempsky FP, and the land is now subject to a foreclosure proceeding in Second Circuit Court and a public foreclosure sale, according to the resolution. 

Meanwhile, the County of Maui since 1954 has had a sublease on the property; the Kula Community Center and the Kula Tennis Courts are owned by the county. The sublease expires in November 2050. 

County Deputy Managing Director Josiah Nishita during testimony asked that the council take swift action due to the “time-sensitive nature” of the issue.

The council on Friday spent time in executive session to discuss behind closed doors certain terms and conditions that should be added to the resolution. The terms and conditions, which were not disclosed during open session, were added to the resolution by amendment.

Kehaulani Cerizo
Kehaulani Cerizo was born and raised on Maui and worked for nearly 15 years as a news reporter, copy editor and features editor at daily newspapers. She earned awards at The Maui News in Wailuku and at Today’s Local News in San Diego.
Read Full Bio
Maui Jobs View All Jobs Chevron Forward

Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel
Bell Clerk | $2,000 Sign On Bonus
West Maui · 1 month ago
Andaz Beach Crew Maui
Beach Attendant and Ocean Sports
South Maui · 2 weeks ago

Valley Isle Home Care
Care Team Member
Central Maui · 1 month ago

Trilogy Excursions Maui
Reservations Manager
West Maui · 4 days ago
Looking for locally based talent?
Post a Job Listing

Sponsored Content

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Stay in-the-know with daily or weekly
headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Cancel
×

Related Articles

  • $405,000 Project at Hāna Park Basketball and Tennis…
    April 20, 2021
  • Fence Painting Project to Temporarily Close War…
    July 12, 2021
  • Queen Kaʻahumanu Center Struggles Along as…
    April 16, 2021
  • All Second Circuit Courts in Maui County Closed due…
    December 6, 2021
  • Mayor proposes to buy former ʻIao Valley Lodge from…
    August 6, 2022
  • HCL offers “Know Your Options to Prevent…
    January 16, 2022
Make the most of your Maui vacation with these top-rated activities: Maui Top 20: Maui Visitor & Tourism Information

Comments

This comments section is a public community forum for the purpose of free expression. Although Maui Now encourages respectful communication only, some content may be considered offensive. Please view at your own discretion. View Comments
View All Events: List Circle List Map
UPCOMING FEATURED EVENTS:
Add Post an Event More Events Chevron Forward
Trending Now
1Maui Police Department Mourns Passing Of Former Chief Howard Tagomori 2Voluntary Recall Of Snack Bites On Maui And Oahu Due To Undeclared Milk Allergen 3Visitors To Maui In February Up 14 From Last Year Spending Up 34 4Hi 5 Redemption Centers In Haʻiku And At Uh Maui College Temporarily Closed 5Aquari Om Yoga Classes Return To Maui Ocean Center 62023 Maui Maraton To Utilize Collapsible Reusable Cups
Arrow UpBack to Top
  • Maui News
  • Maui Business
  • Weather
  • Entertainment
  • Maui Surf
  • Maui Sports
  • COVID-19 Updates
  • Crime Statistics
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Maui Activities
  • Maui Discussion
  • Food and Dining
  • Real Estate
  • Events
  • What’s Open
  • Maui Jobs
  • About Maui Now
  • Contact Information
  • About Our Ads
  • App
  • Newsletter
  • Terms of Service

Copyright © 2023. Pacific Media Group.
All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | About Our Ads

Facebook YouTube Twitter Instagram