TheBuzz Erika Engle

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Expanded Kapolei plant to produce 200 million bottles a year

PACIFIC Allied Products blesses a new $5 million bottle manufacturing plant in Campbell Industrial Park today that will enable the already 24/7 operation to triple production. The more than 60 million bottles made each year will grow to more than 200 million.

That's a lotta beverage-container deposits and fees.

The PET containers, called so because they are made from Polyethylene Terephthalate, are commonly used for bottled water and soft drinks. Pacific Allied Products makes bottles for dueling cola companies, Hawaiian Natural Water Co. and Meadow Gold Dairies, among others.

The ceremony is not open to the public but the plant's general manager, Bernie Coleman, would like for more members of the public to work there.

"I can't find people now," he said. "We're looking to hire people and we're always on the hunt."

The types of positions vary and the pay ranges from $13 to $17 an hour.

People of a certain age can hardly mention the word plastics without recalling that it was the one word of advice for the future that Mr. McGuire had for Benjamin Braddock in the 1967 movie "The Graduate."

Pacific Allied Plastics had the jump on the advice, founded as it was in 1965.

Sharing opinions

You can now give the state's new Economic Momentum Commission a piece of your mind online at www.emc-hawaii.com.

Gov. Linda Lingle announced creation of the 30-member commission in June to generate practical ideas to perpetuate Hawaii's economic vitality and enhance the quality of life.

The commission wants you, the public, to follow its work and submit feedback and ideas.

The first fruits of the commission's work -- 15 so-called challenge statements made after its examination of the economic and social problems Hawaii faces -- are posted for review and comment.

The 15 statements will be discussed at the commission's next meeting at 8:15 a.m. tomorrow in the 30th-floor board room of First Hawaiian Center at 999 Bishop St.

The meeting is open to the public.