Hailimaile Pineapple has become some what of a hero in Hawaii by creating a smaller company to grow pineapple and at the same time providing employment to those who were laid off by MLP. we beleive their efforts should be championed. However, they must be accountable for thier actions and the way they do business. Several of their employees are former MLP employees. They must surely know that MLP had questinable title in these areas. But even if they didn’t we provided them that information when we saw their company on our lands.
Now some might argue that the pineapple does not belong to us. I was told Ryan Churchill made this statement once, he said we own the land but not the pineapple. Well we beg to differ. Since you failed to vacate and take your stuff with you, your stuff is now ours because you abadoned it. And beleive it or not we really would like for soemone to come and get your stuff. However, you or the someone must make arrangments with us. You can not just go tromping on and off property that is not yours or that you do not have permission to be on. So when we seen Hailimaile Pineapple company on our properties we notified them. Of course we have heard nothing back. So I guess we have one more company on this island starting off on a shaky foundation and again with no respect for the true owners of these lands. Well they need to get use to the fact that the real owners are here. They may be facing the same situation in Hailimaile if the heirs of those lands chose to come forward. Anyway below are copies of our letters to the Hailimaile people.
Most Recent:
—–Original Message—–
From: John and Donna Willard [mailto:willard@maui.net]
Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2010 6:53 AM
To: ‘norfolkldm@hawaii.rr.com’
Cc: Daniel.L.Ornellas@hawaii.gov; Ho, Kalani; snaehu@hotmail.com; Warren Haruki; kai koreyasu
Subject: FW: Honolua/Honokohau/Honokahua
Mr. MacCluer;
Unfortunately, when it comes to Hailimaile the only email address I have is yours. Please forward this to your partners.
Mr. MacCluer, I have been told you are concerned about not being able to keep locks on the gates in Honokohau.
I want you to know that it is not vandals who are removing those locks and chains. It is me. And I will, on behalf of myself and family continue to do so as long as needed be. Maui Land and Pineapple knows that it is me.
The only deed that exists with a clean and clear title belongs to my family. More important to that we have a genealogical connection to those lands that is protected and provided for by law. Our rights are inherent and vested. Therefore.
The way to get a lock on those gates so your equipment is safe is to ask permission to be there. It is also the only way for you to be legally on that property. You have been told several times now that you are trespassing. You see our sign saying stay out, no trespassing are constantly removed by Maui Land and Pineapple. And yes we know it is them. The signs have been seen in Kalani Ho’s office and the private security guard placed a the gate to intimidate us told us. Some legal problems right there.
I was lead to believe in the beginning of this process that you and your company were going to be a different kind of plantation/operation. I think that I was informed wrong and the person who defended you to me needs to be corrected.
It is a really simply process.
As always our family is open to discussion and we welcome open dialogue so win win situation may be reached. However, we are tired of the constant and continued arrogance that all parties are treating this situation with. We have made attempts to be settle this situation in manners that are pono, civilized and fair. Unfortunately, the thieves continue to think that they can play with us and push us around. We are done. We have as the heirs to the original awardees of these parcels and as the original people of these lands vested right protected by law.
Mr. MacCluer as a former employee of MLP I am sure you aware of their use of others as a buffer. Guess what?
Please follow this link to read about what is happening with families claims against Maui Land and Pineapple
We are furnishing the link to as many news outlets as we can.
https://mlpcaught.wordpress.com/
A hui hou;
Donna Lanakila Willard
First letter:
C Pardee Erdman
P.O. Box 901
Kula, Hi 96791
Douglas R Schenk
372 Hoopalua Dr
Makawao Hi 96768
Doug MacCluer’s Tree Farm
360 Hoopalua Dr
Makawao, Hi 96768
January 26, 2010
Aloha;
My name is Donna Lanakila Willard and I am the Executor of the Pinehaka Trust. I am writing in your capacity as the owners of Hailiimaile Pineapple Company.
I would like to inform you on behalf of the Pinehaka Trsut that our family is in discussion with Maui Land and Pineapple Company regarding their ownership of certain ahupua’a. Two of these ahupua’a are Honolua and Honokohau.
They have been unable to furnish satisfactory claim to ownership. We have. At this point in time we have served Maui Land and Pineapple Company with a Notice to Vacate. They are not fighting but are resisting. Their actions are delaying the inevitable but we continue to assert ourselves, our rights and responsibilities.
It has come to our attention that Maui Land and Pineapple Company may have entered into an agreement with your company and/or has authorized you to use fields in these areas. Please be advised they have no legal authority to do so.
We understand that you are making an attempt with your venture that should be commended and supported. Furthermore, we have seen that there are still pineapple plants in these fields that are producing fruit. It would be a shame and senseless to see them go to waste. We do not have any objection to you harvesting the remaining crops but we do object to you doing so with out making arrangements with us.
Entering these areas without permission or an agreement with us is criminal trespass and will be treated as such.
Growing pineapple in this area is costly. I believe it cost about $20.00 more a ton to produce and haul fruit from these areas than from the other areas.
We would like to see you succeed in your venture.
We do not seeking payment of any kind for the fruit left in these fields.
Please be advised that at this point in time the title claimed by Maui Land and Pineapple to these parcels is being challenged. They have failed to satisfactorily furnish title to any of these properties (except possibly for 1000 acres in Honokohua). Also, be aware that this is not a sovereign claim it is one based on law, LCA, Privy Council minutes and Supreme court records.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources and other relative agencies, including the Mayor and Governor’s offices have been made aware of our claims as the rightful owners. We are more than willing to sit and explain our claim to you at any time.
You may email me at pinehakatrust@gmail.com or call 808 280 3576.
Aloha;
Donna Lanakila Willard
Executor, Pinehaka Trust
P.O. Box 11032
Lahaina Hi 96761
808 280 3576
cc: Warren Haruki,Maui Land and Pineapple Company
Daniel Orenallas, Department of Land and Natural Resources
Second letter:
C Pardee Erdman
P.O. Box 901
Kula, Hi 96791
Douglas R Schenk
372 Hoopalua Dr
Makawao Hi 96768
Doug MacCluer’s Tree Farm
360 Hoopalua Dr
Makawao, Hi 96768
April 29, 2010
Aloha;
On January 26, 2010, the Heirs of Pinehaka sent a letter to you that informed you we are the rightful owners of the lands situated at Honokohau and identified by LCA 7714B:3 and further identified by Tax Map Key:
More commonly identified as the pineapple fields of Honokohau.
In that letter we asked that you no longer enter this area without contacting us.
On May 28, 2010 employees of your company were observed in the fields harvesting the pineapple.
We are sure that Maui Land and Pineapple has represented to you that they are the owners and have right to grant you the permission to entry these properties. Unfortunately this is not true and they have not established such ownership or a clear and unclouded claim to title.
Furthermore, it is unfortunate that they have placed you in the center of this conflict as you work toward establishing your company and business.
Please be advised that we object to you entering this property without first talking with us.
We appreciate the removal of the pineapple for several reasons but can not agree to it being done without you first talking to us.
We know that Maui Land and Pineapple purports to own the pineapple. However, they have been served a Notice to Comply and Vacate by December 30, 2009. They have never challenged that Notice but asked for an extension of time which was never granted. They did not take their pineapple and is therefore considered abandoned.
As the rightful owners we must continue to assert our rights, responsibilities and privileges as such.
Your continued entrance may be considered and treated as criminal trespass.
Again, we are apologize that Maui Land and Pineapple has placed you in this situation. We encourage you to call us and remedy this situation.
Donna Lanakila Willard
Executor, Pinehaka Trust
P.O. Box 11032
Lahaina Hi 96761
808 280 3576
cc: Warren Haruki,Maui Land and Pineapple Company
Daniel Orenallas, Department of Land and Natural Resources
Maui Land and Pineapple Caught with Stolen Lands 