RANK PREVIOUS COMPANY
1 1 Monsanto Hawai’i
2 3 Dowling Co.
3 2 Maui Land & Pineapple Co.
4 4 Maui Electric Co.
5 5 Hawaiian Telcom
6 6 Alexander & Baldwin
7 7 Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
8 8 Trex Enterprises
9 9 Wailuku Water Co.
10 10 Makena Resort
Wow, how did Dowling Co. climb so high without me noticing? Of course it’s deserved, but Dowling? Yeah, I suppose so, though he remains one of the most controversial developers on Maui. Years ago grading for his Palauaea project resulted in a pretty massive amount of dirt washing into the ocean. Today he’s building condos for the super-wealthy at Makena. Through it all he’s contributed handsomely to many, many elected officials. Of course, his nonprofit Dowling Community Improvement Foundation has also been making sizeable contributions, which are outlined in an Apr. 15 online Pacific Business News story. Some might say Dowling foundation’s donation of $732,000 last year to a bunch of Maui organizations equals or even outweighs his desire to construct ultra-exclusive homes on Makena land that native Hawaiians feel is sacred. Only the truly powerful enjoy such relativistic advantages. MTW
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