Hawaii PUC Grants Temporary Approval of Lanai Sale

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The state Public Utilities Commission has granted interim approval for the transfer of Lanai’s utilities to Larry Ellison, the billionaire Oracle CEO who is working to close a deal to buy the island. 

Castle & Cooke requested that the PUC expedite the ruling — if approval wasn’t granted by June 26, then the deal with Ellison could fall through, said the company, which is owned by David Murdock, Lanai’s current owner.

The utilities being transferred include Manele Water Resources, Lanai Water Co. and Lanai Transportation Co. 

The PUC reserves the right to reject the transfer upon further review. 

The request to expedite the preliminary ruling prompted swift criticism from Henry Curtis, executive director of Life of the Land, last week. He sent out a press release stating the following: 

Although the public has 20 days to file a Motion to Intervene, Castle & Cooke has proposed that the PUC issue its preliminary approval by June 26.  

Once more Castle & Cooke has proven is disrespect for laws.
We live in a democracy. Castle & Cooke should not be permitted to bypass the public review process.

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