Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Notes to Financial Statements

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

On December 31, 2018, the State of Hawaii 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 1960’s 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 a new 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 without a hearing date while the Company continues working on a previously approved corrective action plan to resolve and remediate the facility’s wastewater effluent issues. The construction of additional leach fields was completed as of December 31, 2020. Additionally, the installation of a surface aerator, sludge removal system, and natural pond cover using water plants was completed in 2021. Continued testing of wastewater effluent consistently returns results within the allowable ranges. No hearing date has been set as discussions with the DOH are still ongoing to address any other matters regarding the Order. At December 31, 2021, approximately $23,000 was accrued related to the administrative penalty. The Company is presently unable to estimate the remaining amount, or range of amounts, of any probable liability, if any, related to the Order and no additional 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 to pay for 90% of 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. In 2021, the Company paid approximately $59,000 for the reimbursement of filtration and maintenance costs for the three year period ending December 31, 2020. 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 since 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.