HILO, Hawaii — Hawaii County is to begin selling 16 parcels of land covering 737 acres above Paauilo next month.

Proceeds from the three, possibly four auctions will be used to help balance the county’s operating budget.
County officials say six parcels are included in the first auction, set for March 31.
The county’s property manager, Ken Van Bergen, says small and large parcels will be offered in each of the auctions.
The county acquired the land as part of a 1994 tax settlement with bankrupt Hamakua Sugar Co.
The smallest parcel, 12.8 acres, is valued at $216,000. The largest and most valuable is nearly 110 acres appraised at $688,000.
An independent appraisal found the land was worth $6 million, or $2 million less than the county hopes to raise.
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Information from: Hawaii Tribune-Herald, www.hilohawaiitribune.com