On Friday, July 24, Mayor Charmaine Tavares released a statement responding to Maui Land and Pineapple Company’s (ML&P) announcement that it was eliminating more than 250 jobs. “This is a sad day for Maui Land and Pineapple Company employees and their families,” she said. “I’m sure it was a very difficult decision for the company, whose roots in agriculture in our community go back generations. It is an unfortunate situation and the county will work with State Workforce Development services and our non-profit community to offer support to those impacted. We are concerned for everyone affected, and our community’s history of caring for each other during tough times will be very important. I have faith that we will pull together to support each other as we always have.”