Unknown number of workers at Kapalua golf courses to lose jobs under a new manager
KAPALUA – A number of Maui Land & Pineapple employees will lose their jobs when an independent firm takes over management of the Kapalua Plantation Golf Course and Bay Golf Course at the end of March, the company announced Monday.
In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, ML&P said the total number of employees affected by the turnover is still uncertain, but that it had sent a 60-day layoff notice to workers, in compliance with U.S. labor laws.
There are about 100 ML&P employees working at the two courses, approximately half of the company’s total work force of 200, said Chief Financial Officer Tim Esaki.
Troon Golf, of Scottsdale, Ariz., will take over management of the courses on April 1, the company said.
Esaki said golf course employees were sure to be involved in the change, but “it may affect other employees as well.”
“Troon Golf, assuming the management of the golf course, will have an impact on other areas of our operations, but we’re currently in the process of evaluating what that is,” he said.
ML&P sold its Bay Course last year to TY Management Corp. for $23.6 million, with an agreement to lease back and continue to operate the links until March 31.
TY also purchased the Plantation Course from money-losing ML&P for $50 million cash in 2009, also with a lease-back contract.
