Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2022

Notes to Financial Statements

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

15. 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. 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 June 30, 2022 and 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 unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

There are various other claims and legal actions pending against the Company. The resolution of these other matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations after consultation with legal counsel.