Out of the shutdown of Maui Pineapple Co. has emerged a new independent agricultural venture.

A group of Valley Isle residents plans to start operating Haliimaile Pineapple Co. tomorrow and serve former whole-fruit customers of Maui Pineapple Co.

The last harvest for workers of Maui Pine, a subsidiary of Maui Land & Pineapple Co., was Dec. 23.

Haliimaile Pineapple Co. has purchased for an undisclosed price some of Maui Land's equipment and leased 1,000 acres with an option of leasing more acreage, said Doug Schenk, one of the shareholders.

Schenk, a former president of Maui Pineapple Co., said the new company will be employing about 68 people, including some 60 people who formerly worked at Maui Land and were members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.

“;We're excited to get this new company up and running,”; Schenk said.

Gov. Linda Lingle said she can't think of a better way to ring in the new year.

“;I want to thank the individuals who remained committed to finding an innovative way to revive pineapple operations on Maui,”; Lingle said.

“;Their collaborative efforts will help preserve an important part of our culture and heritage, while charting a new course for the future of the pineapple industry in Hawaii.”;

Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares praised the new company for its commitment to produce pineapple on the Valley Isle.

“;The company founders, shareholders and directors are to be commended for their work in making this happen,”; Tavares said.

The major shareholder is Pardee Erdman, founder and owner of Ulupalakua Ranch, whose Tedeschi Vineyards produce a variety of wines out of pineapple juice.

Schenk said while Haliimaile Pineapple's core business will be marketing fresh fruit, it will continue to provide juice for Ulupalakua Ranch to make its wines.

Schenk said the new company also has a license agreement to use the brand labels of Maui Pineapple Co., including Maui Gold pineapple.

Schenk said 90 percent of its fresh-fruit market was in Hawaii and the remainder in North America, including Chicago, New York and British Columbia.

The new business plans to consolidate its operations in Haliimaile, including its plantation, fresh-fruit packing facility, cold storage and shipping operations.

The company will continue to provide the highest-quality fresh pineapple to local hotels, restaurants and supermarkets while increasing its direct-to-consumer business.

Key shareholders and directors in the new company include Erdman, Schenk, former Maui Pineapple Co. vice presidents Doug MacCluer and Ed Chenchin, and current Maui Pineapple operating directors Darren Strand and Rudy Balala.

The group brings more than 150 years of combined expertise in growing and packing premium pineapple on Maui.

“;We are proud to continue the 100-year legacy of pineapple on Maui,”; said Strand, president and chief executive officer of the new company.

Schenk said talks about starting a new company began about six months ago with Strand and Balala.

“;It was their dream,”; Schenk said.

Schenk said he, MacCluer and Chenchin were brought aboard to help in developing the idea, and Erdman provided the financial backing.

Erdman said he thought the new enterprise had a good chance of succeeding.

“;I think we've got a lot of talent there,”; Erdman said.

ILWU's Maui Division Director William Kennison said his organization was grateful that Haliimaile Pineapple was saving the 60 jobs.

“;We thank everyone who helped make this happen, including ML&P, Pardee Erdman and HPC's new management team, for working with us to keep our people employed in the midst of this recession,”; Kennison said.