Source: Maui Time, Maui News, Best of Maui, Maui Activities

Remove Images The Exchange The Exchange by By Anthony Pignataro January 25, 2007 WHO GAVE: Ralph Masuda WHO RECEIVED: Maui County Council Chairman Riki Hokama DATE: Nov. 3, 2003 AMOUNT:  $300 It was hardly anything at all, buried amongst the 16 communications listed on the Jan. 19, 2007 Maui County Council meeting agenda. Nothing more than a letter from Ralph Masuda, Castle & Cooke's Vice President of Planning & Zoning, to Council Chair Riki Hokama, it was a "status report" on C&C's luxurious Terraces at Manele project on Lanai. Hokama placed the letter on the agenda "for referral to the appropriate standing committee for discussion and possible filing." A land developer wishing to communicate with the County Council would naturally and properly first address the chairperson, but Hokama and Castle & Cooke go way back, most notably because Lanai is Hokama's home island. Though Masuda's campaign contribution to Hokama mentioned above is small and a few years old, state campaign finance records show Castle & Cooke's Legislative Committee has given Hokama a total of $1,750 since 2002, the most recent check totaling $900, which the company handed over on Nov. 10, 2005. Of course, Castle & Cooke is used to dealing with slightly higher figures: the company's website lists the Terraces at Manele as priced from $1,995,000 to $2,495,000.