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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

15.   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Discontinued Operations

        On April 19, 2011, a lawsuit was filed against the Company's wholly owned subsidiary MPC and several other Hawaii based farms by the EEOC. The lawsuit alleges the farms should be held liable for illegal acts by Global Horizons, Inc., a company that had hired Thai workers to work at the farms. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court, District of Hawaii, as Civil Action No. 11-00257. On June 13, 2013, the EEOC filed a motion to add as defendants Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc. and Hali'imaile Pineapple Company, Ltd. On September 10, 2013, the Court denied the EEOC's motion. MPC believes it was not involved in any wrongdoing, disagrees with the charges and is defending itself. Because this lawsuit is in its early stages and has not gone to trial, MPC is presently unable to estimate the amount, or range of amounts, of any probable liability, if any, related to this matter and no provision has been made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

        Pursuant to a 1999 settlement agreement with the County of Maui, the Company and several chemical manufacturers have agreed that until December 1, 2039, they will pay for 90% of the capital costs to install filtration systems in any future water wells if the presence of a nematocide, commonly known as DBCP, exceeds specified levels, and for the ongoing maintenance and operating cost for filtration systems on existing and future wells. The Company estimated its share of the cost to operate and maintain the filtration systems for the existing wells, and its share of the cost of a letter of credit used to secure its obligations, and as of December 31, 2013 has recorded a reserve for environmental liability of $82,000. The Company is presently not aware of any plans by the County of Maui to install other filtration systems or to drill any water wells in areas affected by agricultural chemicals. Accordingly, a reserve for costs relating to any future wells has not been recorded because the Company is not able to reasonably estimate the amount of liability, if any.

Kapalua Bay

        On May 23, 2011, a lawsuit was filed against multiple parties including the Company by purchasers of two units at the project formerly known as The Ritz-Carlton Residences at Kapalua Bay. The lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court of the Second Circuit, State of Hawaii pursuant to Civil No. 11-1-0216-(3). The lawsuit alleges deceptive acts, intentional misrepresentation, concealment, and negligent misrepresentation, among other allegations with regard to the sale of the two residential units and seeks unspecified damages, treble damages and other relief. The Company disagrees with the allegations and plans to vigorously defend itself. Because this lawsuit is in its early stages and has not gone to trial, the Company is presently unable to estimate the amount, or range of amounts, of any probable liability, if any, related to this matter and no provision has been made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

        On June 7, 2012, a group of owners of 12 whole-ownership units at the project formerly known as The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, Kapalua Bay filed a lawsuit against multiple parties including the Company. The Company believes it has not been involved in any wrongdoing, disagrees with the charges and plans to vigorously defend itself. Because this lawsuit is in its early stages and has not gone to trial, the Company is presently unable to estimate the amount, or range of amounts, of any probable liability, if any, related to this matter and no provision has been made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

        On June 19, 2013, a lawsuit was filed against multiple parties including the Company by several owners of timeshare condominium interests in the project formerly known as The Ritz-Carlton Residences at Kapalua Bay (Fractional Interests). The lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court of the Second Circuit, State of Hawaii, pursuant to Civil No. 13-1-0640-(2). The lawsuit alleges unfair and deceptive trade practices, negligent misrepresentations, omissions, concealment, and fraud in the inducement among other allegations with regards to the marketing and sales of certain Fractional Interests and seeks unspecified damages, treble damages and other relief. The Company disagrees with the allegations and plans to vigorously defend itself. Because this lawsuit is in its early stages and has not gone to trial, the Company is presently unable to estimate the amount, or range of amounts, of any probable liability, if any, related to this matter and no provision has been made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

        In addition to the matters noted above, there are various other claims and legal actions pending against the Company. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, the resolution of these other matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.