Gay & Robinson Inc., one of Hawaii's last remaining sugar plantations, said today it is exiting the business earlier than planned and will lay off 137 of its 167 full-time employees by Dec. 14.

The Kauai-based company, which last September said its last crop would be harvested by August 2010, said today that the last sugar cane grown by the company will be processed by the mill late next month.

Gay & Robinson began growing sugar cane on Kauai in 1892.

The company, which incurred significant losses due to low sugar prices and high energy prices, has leased some of its land to Dow AgroSciences and is also developing hydroelectric generation from its water sources.

Gay & Robinson plans to offer housing for its retirees and employees affected by the shutdown and will still offer limited employment in support of company housing and its ranch.