Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani and his agent, Nez ValeroThey have reportedly settled a lawsuit over a high-profile $240 million housing development in Hawaii in 2025.
Ohtani, 31, and his agent sued by Hawaii real estate investors Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and real estate agents Tomoko Matsumotowho claims the baseball star and his representatives caused their removal from a development called Hapuna Estates on the Big Island’s Hapuna Coast.
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The plaintiffs claim they have been developing the project for more than a decade and hired Ohtani in 2023 to help sanction the project and attract more high-net-worth buyers.
However, Hayes and Matsumoto allege in the lawsuit that Ohtani and Valero then conspired to force the business partners to sever ties with them, effectively cutting them out of the projects they claimed they conceived and built.
Lawyers for both sides have now agreed to settle the lawsuit privately, TMZ Sports reports. It is unclear what specific terms the two parties have arranged. The settlement was reached just days before the Dodgers MLB season begins on March 26, when they will face arizona diamondbacks.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani and his agent Nez Balelo have reportedly reached a settlement in a lawsuit over a $240 million housing development in Hawaii. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
It’s unclear what the settlement means for the future of the development, which the plaintiffs said they had been working on for 11 years when they signed an agreement with Ohtani to promote the project.
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They said in the lawsuit that they planned to use his celebrity status, particularly in Japan’s luxury vacation market, to generate buzz and attract high-net-worth buyers.
A press release touted Ohtani as the “first resident of the Kohala Shores project,” then revealed that the baseball star had already picked out his own lot, where he plans to build a luxury property to escape to during the off-season.
“To me, Hawaii is a beautiful fusion of Pacific cultures,” Ohtani said in a statement at the time. “Here I found my paradise at Mauna Kea Resort: two perfect beaches, two amazing golf courses and more. I chose my place and built my winter home here.
“This is a special place — a place I will soon call home.”
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However, in the 2025 filing, Ohtani and Valero were accused of using “threats and baseless accusations” to remove Hayes and Matsumoto from the entire project.
“Valero and [Ohtani]they were brought into the business simply to [Ohtani’s] The lawsuit alleges that they used their celebrity influence to undermine and ultimately undermine the plaintiffs’ role in the project — for no reason other than their own financial gain.
It continued: “This case involves an abuse of power. Defendants must be held accountable for their actions rather than being shielded by fame or behind-the-scenes operatives with impunity. Plaintiffs bring this lawsuit to expose Defendants’ misconduct and ensure that the rules of contract, fair dealing and accountability apply equally to everyone, celebrity or not.”
Ohtani, 31, and his agent are being sued by Hawaii real estate investor Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and real estate agent Tomoko Matsumoto. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
It’s unclear what settlement was reached. Just days before the MLB season starts for the Dodgers.
It’s unclear how construction of the new homes in Otani is progressing, with the project reportedly set to cost $17 million, Hawaii News Now reported.
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Ohtani was responsible for the construction costs of the home, the Wall Street Journal reported. However, it’s unclear if he paid anything for his premium package, which is part of his endorsement deal with Hayes and Matsumoto.
It’s unclear if the MLB star’s property is complete yet; however, work is expected to begin in mid-2024.
Hapuna Beach in Hawaii, located along the Kohala Coast, is consistently rated as one of the best beaches in the world. Its name, which means “spring” or “pool” in Hawaiian, reflects its pristine setting—nearly a half-mile of powdery white sand, stunning blue water, and year-round conditions for swimming, bodyboarding, and sunbathing.
Hapuna Estates is a 34-acre gated community within Mauna Kea Resort. Ohtani purchased the property in the nearby The Vistas area, which has only 14 residential lots available.
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The Hapuna Coast area has become a magnet for luxury home buyers seeking privacy and world-class amenities. Properties here often feature expansive ocean views, seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces, and custom designs that blend modern luxury with island-style architecture.
Given its appeal, the region is seeing increasing interest from global buyers, particularly from Asia, where Hawaii remains a top vacation and investment destination.
Hapuna Beach State Park is located on the west coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. It is said to have some of the most pristine beaches and beautiful blue waters. (Getty Images)
While the area will serve as Ohtani’s home base during the winter (the MLB offseason), he also owns a home in California, where he will likely work for a while before signing a historic 10-year contract with the Dodgers in December 2023 worth $700 million.
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Shortly after signing the record-breaking contract, Ohtani paid $7.85 million for a five-bedroom mansion in La Canada Flintridge, completing the deal in May 2024 through an LLC named after his beloved dog.
Soon after, reports emerged that Ohtani wanted to sell the house after several local media outlets in his home country leaked the address of his new home. This resulted in photographers and reporters showing up at his doorstep and fans learning the exact location of the superstar athlete.
According to Essentially Sports, the two Japanese outlets responsible for the appearance at Ohtani’s home – Fuji TV and Nippon TV – have reportedly had their interview credentials revoked by the Dodgers.
Still, the security concerns surrounding the leak reportedly left Ohtani furious, and are said to have contributed to his decision to abandon the property before even moving in.
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“Ohtani said he can no longer live in the 1.2 billion yen mansion he purchased and expressed his intention to sell it without moving into a new home,” Yahoo Japan wrote in an article via Google Translate.
Despite these reports, records show Ohtani still owns the home. It’s unclear whether he used it as a California residence.
