Note 14 - Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

14.    Commitments and Contingencies

On April 19, 2011, a lawsuit was filed against the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary Maui Pineapple Company, Ltd. (“MPC”) and several other Hawaii based farms by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”). The lawsuit alleged 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. On June 30, 2014, in light of MPC’s inability to fund its defense, the parties entered into a stipulated default judgment in favor of the EEOC and against MPC. MPC is unable to estimate the amount, or range of amounts, of any liability related to this matter.

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 September 30, 2014 has recorded a reserve for environmental liability of $59,000. 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.

The Company has been named along with multiple parties in lawsuits filed by owners of units and fractional interests in the project formerly known as The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, Kapalua Bay. The lawsuits were filed in the Circuit Court of the Second Circuit, State of Hawaii on May 23, 2011, June 7, 2012, and June 19, 2013. The lawsuits allege deceptive acts, intentional misrepresentation, concealment, and negligent misrepresentation, among other allegations and seek unspecified damages, treble damages and other relief. The Company disagrees with the allegations and is defending itself. 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 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.