#maui cane smoke
Public-Private Partnership Created to Help Displaced Sugar Workers
In conjunction with Alexander & Baldwin, Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa today announced the creation of a task force to assist Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar employees who will be displaced as the plantation ceases sugar operations and transitions to a diversified agriculture model.
Go Maui: ‘It is Vital That Agriculture Be Kept a Part of Maui’
“For almost a thousand families of those workers employed by HC&S, this will mean challenging times, at least in the near term. It will also heavily impact businesses that provided agricultural supplies and support to HC&S over many years.”
Lt. Gov. Tsutsui: ‘Hawai‘i is Turning a Page in Its History’
“Alexander and Baldwin’s announcement is not only upsetting to the employees and their families, but also to our close-knit Maui community.”
Rep. Woodson: ‘Our Focus Will Now Be On Helping These Employees’
“We want to ensure that the acreage that is currently dedicated to sugar remains green and in productive agriculture.”
A&B/HC&S to Transition Out of Sugar Production
The plantation will be divided up into smaller farms with varied uses—energy and food crops, support for the cattle industry and development of an ag park.
Speaker Souki: ‘It is a Sad Day Indeed’
“We will work closely with A&B, the governor, the ILWU, and federal, state and county agencies to ensure that the transition for the workers and families involved is as smooth as humanly possible.”
SHAKA Movement: ‘Time for New, Dynamic and Authentic Agriculture’
“A&B employees and their families all would appreciate a chance to work on the best possible vision for productive use of the Central Maui plain. Those employees need more than sympathy—they need new jobs for changed economy. Retain them and train them.”
Maui Tomorrow Foundation: ‘It Was Clear That There Would Be a Change Soon’
“We have been encouraging HC&S to adopt cleaner harvesting practices and/or alternative crops that would not have adverse health impacts on Maui¹s growing population. In light of Alexander & Baldwin¹s last two quarterly reports, the most recent of which showed that its agricultural operations lost almost $10 million, it was clear that there would be a change soon.”
Maui Mayor: ‘We Knew That This Day Was Inevitable’
“Today marks the end of an era but also a new beginning for Maui as we work towards food and energy sustainability with HC&S and Alexander & Baldwin.”
Maui Senators React With Reserved Optimism
“We will do what we can to ensure that the impact on residents and businesses will be minimal and look for opportunities in the transition to a new diversified agriculture model.”
Gov. Ige: ‘A&B Has Played a Significant Role in the State’s Economy’
“This is a significant historic marker for Hawai‘i, the end of an era that touched the lives of generations of hardworking local families.”
Terez Amato: ‘Today Represents a New Start for Agriculture Here’
Terez Amato, a long-time cane-burning opponent who ran for the state senate seat representing South Maui in 2014, issued a statement about Alexander & Baldwin’s announcement that it is transitioning out of farming sugar and will instead pursue a diversified agricultural model.
Stopcaneburning.org: ‘Only a Court Order Can Fully Protect the Public’s Right to Clean Air’
With the announcement that A&B will be closing sugar operations before the end of 2016 due to a $30 million agricultural operations loss in 2015, Stop Cane Burning founder Karen Chun released the following statement. “We are happy that A&B now plans to adopt the substance of our settlement offer regarding the end of cane burning on […]
Rep. Ing: ‘The Writing Was On the Wall’
Rep. Kaniela Ing, who introduced a plan to transition away from cane burning without job loss during the 2016 legislative session, commented on today’s announcement about A&B. His South Maui constituents have been the most vocal regarding cane burning.
