WAILUKU, Hawaii — Before leaving office, Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino signed documents finalizing the acquisition of 45 acres of parks, coastal lands and portions of Dairy Road from Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., according to a news release. 

The lands will now become protected areas for public recreation and use. 

“The cost to taxpayers for acquiring these lands from A&B is zero,” Victorino said in a news release. “It gives me a tremendous feeling of personal satisfaction to deliver this gift to our community, and future generations, before the end of the year.”

The mayor announced in August that A&B had donated the lands after two years of negotiations. After that, the Maui County Council had to approve the land acqusition.  

The lands will be set aside for a North Shore Preservation Zone that will include Baldwin Beach Park, Baby Beach (Wawaʻu Point) and four acres of shoreline between Mama’s Fish House in Kuʻau and Hoʻokipa. The acquisition also includes lands adjacent to Hoaloha Park in Kahului, Rainbow Park in Makawao and eight roadway parcels along Dairy Road in Kahului.

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.