Maui Gold Pineapple Expands with Freezer Equipment, Eyes Full Production

A consortium of Maui-based investors has revived commercial pineapple production on the Valley Isle through Haliimaile Pineapple Co., which took over farming operations on 1,000 acres of Maui Land & Pineapple Company land. The new company purchased equipment from the shuttered Maui Pineapple operation, leased the acreage, and acquired rights to the Maui Gold brand—positioning itself to serve both the fresh fruit market and supply juice to Tedeschi Vineyards for pineapple wine production.

A grant from Maui County Office of Economic Development, supplemented by federal funding, enabled Maui Gold to acquire freezer equipment that opens new market opportunities for the premium brand. Teena Rasmussen, director of the Maui County Office of Economic Development, cited frozen fruit as a pathway to expand Maui Gold's reach beyond traditional fresh-fruit channels. The investment reflects county commitment to stabilizing Hawaii's agricultural economy as pineapple cultivation faces headwinds across the islands.

The operation's path forward remains complicated. Company officials acknowledged that axis deer and feral pigs are decimating fields, a challenge shared across Maui farms. Drought conditions have further strained production capacity. Despite these obstacles, Haliimaile Pineapple Co. is working toward full production, betting that branded Maui Gold pineapple—whether fresh, frozen, or processed into juice—can sustain viability in an industry that once dominated the Hawaiian economy.