A legal dispute between two companies on Maui, owned by billionaires, has escalated from a contention over water to a battle for control of an association representing landowners at Kapalua Resort.
TY Management, the owner of two golf courses at the resort, filed a second lawsuit against Maui Land & Pineapple Co. (MLP) in September. This follows an initial lawsuit in August over the water shortage that led to the cancellation of a prestigious January PGA Tour Sentry tournament, worth $50 million to Maui's economy.
The Kapalua Resort is currently experiencing a drought, causing challenges for landowners. The water shortage has resulted in the shuttering of TY Management's golf courses, which rely on a water system owned by MLP.
The litigation has significant implications for the local economy, with the cancelled tournament estimated to be worth $50 million.
Author's summary: A legal feud over water on Maui expands to land control.