Hawaii Baking Co., a supplier of bread to retail stores and hotels, has been taken over by one of its creditors and has shut down operations of some of its thrift stores, including all four on Oahu. Assets of Hawaii Baking
acquired by creditors
Star-Bulletin staff
The company, one of the state's oldest bakeries, was forced to cease operations due to its inability to meet financial obligations. First Pacific Food Co., which forced the action, has acquired Hawaii Baking's distribution assets. Employees received notification Nov. 16.
James DeYoung, the president of Hawaii Baking; Will Carter, the head of First Pacific Food; and Rick Camacho of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which represents Hawaii Baking employees, could not be reached for comment.
Meanwhile, Fresh Start Bakeries, based in Brea, Calif., has an arrangement with First Pacific Food to supply some of the products that First Pacific will be selling in the marketplace. Fresh Start Bakeries has hired about 50 of Hawaii Baking's employees to aid in manufacturing. No number was available for Hawaii Baking's total work force.
"We're a worldwide supplier of baked goods, mostly to the quick-service restaurant industry, with operations in the U.S., Europe, Latin America and Australia," said Fresh Start President Craig Olson, who referred all other questions to First Pacific Food.
It also could not be determined how many of Hawaii Baking's thrift stores outside Oahu were closed. Thrift stores are outlets that receive the overproduction of bakeries that doesn't go into the retail stores. In addition, some of the products that come back from retail stores go into the thrift store to be sold at a discount. The stores appeal to consumers on a tight budget who want to buy bread and other baking goods.
On Oahu, two stores were on King Street, one in Aiea and one in Kailua.
