GARY KUBOTA / GKUBOTA@STARBULLETIN.COM The only movie theater on Molokai, the Maunaloa Town Cinemas, seen here yesterday, closed Thursday night as a result of the shutdown of Molokai Ranch's properties.

Final day’s dim light

Despite the job losses, workers at the closed ranch hold to hope

MAUNALOA, Molokai » As the last hotel guest checked out and the last putt fell on the 18th hole, teary-eyed Molokai Ranch employees bid farewell to customers and fellow workers yesterday after more than a century in business.

"We're like a family," said Marlo Nishimoto, who worked at the hotel for 10 years. "I know a lot of them by their names, and the guests know our employees."

The ranch shutdown means the loss of more than 120 jobs and the closure of the island's only movie theater, the only gasoline station in west Molokai, and the island's only 18-hole golf course.

The ranch, also known as Molokai Properties Ltd., also shut the doors yesterday at the 22-room Lodge and the 40 tentalows at Kaupoa Beach Village.

The Maunaloa Town Cinemas closed to a crowded house Thursday night.

Several years of delays in receiving permits for its luxury 200-lot development at La'au in the face of steady opposition was cited by Guoco Leisure, the ranch's Singapore-based parent company, as the reason for closing.

Chicago resident Mark Nerud was the last visitor to check out. He said he was sad about the closing and he and his family enjoyed staying at the tentalows at Kaupoa Beach Village.

"It's great. You're right on the beach. You can hear the waves all night," Nerud said.

Dave Zervas, a New Jersey resident, said he and his wife Gwen's stay at the Lodge was cut short by a day because of closing.

But Zervas said the stay was "great" and they would return to visit Molokai.

But a number of golfers said they wouldn't be coming back now that the Kaluakoi Golf Course is closed.

Karen MacPhail, a Canadian visitor, said the golf course was one of the most beautiful in the world and she didn't understand why the owner would close such a valuable asset.

"It's a gem," said MacPhail. "It's just too nice to let go."

MacPhail's husband Mal said they stopped coming to Molokai when the golf course shut down in 2001 and only resumed their visits when the course reopened.

Mike Jennings, the golf shop manager and pro, said he and his wife are committed to staying on Molokai but he knows the shutdown is going to be tough on people.

"There's a lot of people I care about I won't see again," Jennings said.

At the Lodge, transportation supervisor Mikee Gomes said he will miss the return visitors.

Gomes said families on Molokai are close and support each other by sharing food provided by hunting and fishing.

Daphne Socher, the proprietor of the Big Wind Kite Factory in Maunaloa, said she feels sad for teenagers on Molokai who will lose their only theater.

"It gives the kids a place to go Friday nights and Saturday nights. They actually have a date place. That will be missed," Socher said.

Some laid-off employees are cautiously optimistic about their future.

Theater manager Lester Keanini said he's had job offers to work on Maui but he's committed to living on Molokai, where he is having his home built for his family.

Keanini's wife was a food server at the Lodge and also lost her job. But she said she's optimistic.

Keanini and assistant manager Eric Wong are starting a T-shirt business and talking to investors about opening a movie theater in Kaukanakai.

"When one door closes, another door opens," he said.

The ranch's cattle operation is expected to be transferred to former livestock manager Jimmy Duvauchelle and his family.

Duvauchelle said he'll be leasing some 6,000 acres and purchasing about 800 head of cattle from the ranch.

He said he'll keep the operation small and continue to operate the family's Molokai Cowboy Connection dude ranch.

"I'm excited. It's something I know I can handle. I know the land. I know the country," said Duvauchelle.

Meanwhile, the group Ho'i I Ka Pono, led by the Molokai Community Service Council, said it is trying to raise up to $200 million to try and buy the ranch land.

Karen Holt, executive director of the council, said her group has received a $50 million commitment from alternative energy company UPC Wind and also has received other contributions.

"There are a lot of people trying to figure out a way to help Molokai," Holt said.

"We're not waiting for someone to rescue us. We're trying to rescue ourselves."