Maui Land & Pineapple Co. announced today that it will cease pineapple operations by the end of the year and restructure its resort and land development division. Up to 285 employees will be laid off. This comes after 274 employees were laid off in July of 2008 and 100 more jobs were cut earlier this year. The current work force numbers 624, and the company hopes to offer up to 133 employees positions at partner companies. In a statement, ML&P Chairman and interim CEO Warren Haruki said: “The painful decision to close pineapple operations at MPC (Maui Pineapple Co.) after 97 years was incredibly difficult to make, but absolutely necessary. We realize this ends a significant chapter in Maui's history -- an important part of many lives, over many generations.” Haruki said that Maui Pineapple Co. had lost $115 million in agriculture since 2002 while investing $20 million in capital expenditures for a new fresh-fruit packing facility.