“Preying on people who suffered the most from the tragedy on Maui is despicable,” said Attorney General Anne Lopez. “The Department of the Attorney General will investigate all such criminal activity and hold perpetrators accountable.”

HONOLULU – Attorney General Anne Lopez is urging owners of real property in Lahaina and Kula (Zip Codes 96761, 96767 and 96790) to make formal reports of any unsolicited offers — that is, offers not asked for or requested — to purchase an interest in that property.

The Sixth Emergency Proclamation Relating to Wildfires by Governor Josh Green, M.D., declares that it is a crime for any person to intentionally, knowingly or recklessly make an unsolicited offer to an owner of real property located in the areas encompassed by U.S. Postal Zip Codes 96761, 96767 and 96790 on the island of Maui to purchase or otherwise acquire any interest in that real property.

A defendant who is charged with this crime can attempt to raise an affirmative defense to the prosecution that the “property owner to whom the offer was made was not impacted by th[e] wildfire emergency.”

Those found guilty of the crime may be imprisoned for up to one year, fined up to $5,000, or both.

If you receive an unsolicited and unwanted offer to purchase or acquire real property in one of the three Zip Codes, do not provide the caller with any personal information. You are urged to immediately hang up the phone and call 911 or report the incident via e-mail to the Department of the Attorney General at hawaiiag@hawaii.gov.