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Commitments and Contingencies
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies  
Commitments and Contingencies

13.       Commitments and Contingencies

 

Discontinued Operations

 

On April 19, 2011, a lawsuit was filed against the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary Maui Pineapple Company, Ltd. and several other Hawaii based farmers by the EEOC. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court, District of Hawaii, pursuant to Civil Action No. 11-00257. The lawsuit alleges unlawful employment practices on the basis of national origin and race discrimination, harassment and retaliation and seeks injunctive relief, unspecified compensatory and punitive damages and other relief. The Company believes it has not been involved in any wrongdoing, disagrees with the charges and plans to vigorously defend itself. The Company is presently unable to reasonably estimate the amount of probable liability, if any, related to this matter and, accordingly, has made no provision in the accompanying condensed 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 June 30, 2013 has recorded a liability of $83,000. 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.

 

Investments in Affiliates

 

Pursuant to previous agreements, the Company agreed to purchase from Kapalua Bay certain Amenities that were completed in 2009 at the actual construction cost of approximately $35 million. These purchase and sale agreements were part of the lenders loan collateral and were foreclosed upon in June 2013. The Company does not have sufficient liquidity to purchase the Amenities at the actual construction cost of approximately $35 million and is in active negotiations with the new owners of the project to resolve its purchase commitment for the Amenities (Note 8).

 

Pursuant to loan agreements related to certain equity investments, the Company and the other members of the respective joint ventures have guaranteed to lenders each investors’ pro rata share of costs and losses that may be incurred by the lender as a result of the occurrence of specified triggering events. These guarantees do not include full payment of the loans. At June 30, 2013, the Company has recorded $4.1 million representing the fair value of its obligations under these agreements (Note 8).

 

On June 7, 2012, a group of owners of 12 whole-ownership units at 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. The Company is presently unable to reasonably estimate the amount of probable liability, if any, related to this matter and, accordingly, has made no provision in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

On May 23, 2011, a lawsuit was filed against multiple parties including the Company by purchasers of two units at 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. The Company is presently unable to reasonably estimate the amount of probable liability, if any, related to this matter and, accordingly, has made no provision in the accompanying condensed 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 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. The Company is presently unable to reasonably estimate the amount of probable liability, if any, related to this matter and, accordingly, has made no provision in the accompanying condensed 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.