Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut
CEO confirms Hilo job cuts

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By Dave Segal
dsegal@starbulletin.com

Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. Chief Executive Officer Darrell Askey confirmed today that 19 administrative employees have received layoff notices and 17 of those positions are being transferred to the company's executive offices in Irvine, Calif.

The other two positions are being moved from the company's main Big Island plant in Hilo to Halawa on Oahu.

"First and foremost, this is not a cost-cutting move," Askey said. "Nor is it a commentary about the people in the positions that are being transferred from Hilo to Irvine. They're an excellent group of people and that made the decision all the more difficult for the company.

"This is a business decision that will ultimately affect the other 400 employees of Mauna Loa and the several hundred growers that supply macadamia nuts every year. North America is currently our most rapidly growing market and therefore these functions were needed in North America to support where this opportunity exists. Hawaii does not present us with the growth opportunities because of the economic environment there and the small population."

Askey said the employees, who came from accounting, customer service and product development, were given a severance package and told the layoffs would be effective Nov. 1. He would not disclose severance details.

However, he did say the companies would be creating three or four new positions in Hilo and the affected employees are being encouraged to apply for those jobs. He also said two of the laid-off workers likely will take the two positions that are being shifted to Halawa. None of the employees were given the opportunity to transfer to Irvine.