Note 9 - Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

On December 31, 2018, the State of Hawai‘i Department of Health (“DOH”) issued a Notice and Finding of Violation and Order (“Order”) for alleged wastewater effluent violations related to the Company’s Upcountry Maui wastewater treatment facility. The facility was built in the 1960s to serve approximately 200 single-family homes developed for workers in the Company’s former agricultural operations. The facility is made up of two 1.5-acre wastewater stabilization ponds and surrounding disposal leach fields. The Order includes, among other requirements, payment of a $230,000 administrative penalty and development of improvements to the current wastewater treatment plant, which become final and binding unless a hearing is requested to contest the alleged violations and penalties.

The DOH agreed to defer the Order as we continue to work to resolve and remediate the facility’s wastewater effluent issues through an approved corrective action plan. The construction of additional leach fields and installations of a surface aerator, sludge removal system, and natural pond cover using water plants were completed. Test results from wastewater monitoring indicate effluent concentration amounts within allowable ranges. A feasibility study was prepared and submitted identifying various technical solutions that could be implemented to resolve the Order. The Company submitted a plan and proposed solution to resolve the Order. The plan included the installation of an additional pond that will be lined and installed with aerators. One of the existing ponds will be lined and renovated as necessary and the other pond will be taken offline and used as a backup pond if needed. The Company is awaiting comments, feedback and approval from the DOH at the time of filing the Form 10-K.

Pursuant to a 1999 settlement agreement with the County of Maui, the Company and several chemical manufacturers have agreed to pay for 90% of capital costs to install filtration systems in any future water wells if the presence of a nematicide, 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 paid approximately $22,000 and $21,000 for the reimbursement of filtration and maintenance costs during the years ending December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively. 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, no reserve for costs relating to any future wells has been recorded as the Company is unable to estimate the amount, or range of amounts, of any probable liability, if any.

In addition, from time to time, the Company is the subject of various other claims, complaints and other legal actions which arise in the normal course of the Company’s business activities. The Company believes the resolution of these other matters, in the aggregate, is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or operations.