GARY T. KUBOTA / GKUBOTA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Former Maui Pineapple driver Ernie Rinen talked with Debbie Cabebe, Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. human resources director, yesterday as he examined employment opportunities at a job fair in Lahaina. Rinen was one of 205 workers laid off from Maui Land & Pineapple Co. Inc.
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Former Maui Pine workers stay hopeful
LAHAINA » Rodel Pante is hopeful he'll find a job after being laid off as a worker who sprayed fertilizer and herbicides in the fields at Maui Pineapple Co.
"Life moves on. It's not going to stop here," said Pante, 30.
About 65 agricultural employees who formerly worked at Maui Pineapple Co.'s Honolua Plantation heard some encouraging news about scores of job openings as they met with potential employers yesterday morning during a job fair sponsored by the state, Maui County and the Maui Farm Bureau.
The workers were part of the 205 employees laid off from Maui Land & Pineapple Co. as part of downsizing of operations.
Ernie Rinen, who worked for the company for 31 years, said he felt he had a lot of experience as a truck and equipment driver but was a little bit nervous about making the transition to a new job.
"It's kind of tough. You've got to start all over and stuff," Rinen said.
Businesses at the job fair included Monsanto officials, who were looking for more than 60 agricultural workers on Maui, and Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. representatives, who were seeking some 12 new workers for Oahu and Kauai.
"We want to get the word out that we have positions available on other islands," said Jennie Falcon Tillotson, who works for Pioneer, a Dupont company.
Mark O'Connor, a Monsanto representative, said job opportunities were increasing at his company on Maui.
O'Connor said seed development companies were attracted to Hawaii because they were able to have three to four growing seasons a year, compared with one on the U.S. mainland.
"We can spend a shorter time developing seed crops," O'Connor said.
James Hardaway, special assistant to the state labor director, said it appeared other companies had potential positions for farm workers.
"There's really a demand for farm workers," Hardaway said.
Hardaway said that before the job fair began yesterday morning, state officials presented information to the workers about services available through unemployment insurance and how they might be able to secure medical services for their children under the state's Quest program.
He said because of the potential stress facing them during their employment transition and change in lifestyle, workers will have access to a mental health services hot line.
Pante said he started as a field worker for Maui Pineapple about 12 years ago, shortly after leaving the Philippines, and at one point also worked a part-time job at Pizza Hut.
"I know I'm going to find a job somewhere," he said.