HILO, Hawaii � Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi�s proposal to sell 737 acres of land to help balance the county�s budget has been approved by the Hawaii County Council.

The 6-3 vote came Wednesday. In other action, the council voted against requiring Kenoi�s administration to release terms of the sale, or to gain the council�s approval before finalizing land sales.
The administration hopes to sell the Hamakua land above Paauilo for $8.2 million to balance Kenoi�s $386.7 million budget.
The county acquired the land as part of a 1994 tax settlement with bankrupt Hamakua Sugar Co.
Land sale opponent Hamakua Councilman Dominic Yagong believes a sale won�t go through because several Native Hawaiians claim they are the actual owners of the land.