Talks between Waimanalo dairy, UH unsuccessful

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward Bureau

WAIMANALO — The University of Hawai'i and Meadow Gold Dairies Hawai'i are no longer negotiating over Meadow Gold's property and facilities in Waimanalo, but both sides said they will explore options elsewhere.

The dairy had wanted to transfer its operation and land lease to the university's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources in an effort to give a boost to agriculture research. The college had hoped to move its 130-acre Waialee Livestock Research Farm on the North Shore to the 360-acre Waimanalo dairy to be closer to Honolulu.

"We're still actively looking for alternative sites for our animal science operations," said Jody Moore, spokeswoman for the college, adding that negotiations broke down over the facilities' condition.

"There were issues arising from the physical conditions of certain facilities of Meadow Gold's operations and related environmental issues," Moore said.

Glenn Muranaka, president and general manager of Meadow Gold, and Andrew Hashimoto, dean of the college, said they were disappointed that they could not reach an agreement. Muranaka said Meadow Gold is looking at other options but did not want to discuss them.

Meadow Gold holds a state Department of Land and Natural Resources lease on the property until 2014. In August, the dairy announced it would close the Waimanalo operation by December.

Dairy workers were disappointed that an agreement couldn't be reached, said Betty Yoshikawa, whose husband works at the dairy.

The employees were not expected to continue with the university, but they were saddened to think now that the dairy might close for good, she said.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.