Haruki will lead the Lihu'e-based firm as it expands its real-estate development work on Kaua'i following initial conversion from a sugar company under Pratt, who will retire after a brief transition but remain a director of the company.

Pratt headed Grove Farm for 20 years as president, then in early 2001 came out of his own retirement after five years to resume the role following the company's acquisition by AOL founder Steve Case.

Daniel H. Case, father of Steve Case and Grove Farm chairman, thanked Pratt for his work and welcomed Haruki.

"David got the company back on its feet, headed in the right direction," Daniel Case said in a statement. "Now the time is right to pass the baton to Warren Haruki, one of Hawai'i's most respected business executives, who has deep roots to Kaua'i."

Haruki, 52, had served on the Grove Farm board of directors for the past year and was familiar with its search for a new chief executive. He said he saw the opportunity to serve in that role as a way to benefit the community in which he was born and raised.

"It was fine," he said of retirement. "Grove Farm is a rare chance for me to make a difference — to go back to my roots and help improve the quality of life on Kaua'i."

Among the initiatives Haruki will oversee are Grove Farm's effort to sell Kukui Grove Shopping Center, and develop its real estate.

Grove Farm and its sister company, Lihue Land Co., own about 40,000 acres on the Island. Haruki said he will pay particular interest to helping to satisfy Kaua'i's affordable-housing needs, and making contributions in education, eco-tourism and other aspects of the economy.

Haruki graduated from Kapa'a High School, and worked as an assistant manager at the Kauai Resort Hotel. He joined Verizon's predecessor GTE Hawaiian Tel in 1979 as an equipment installer, and became president in 1991.

After retirement from Verizon, Haruki continued to serve on corporate boards, and is a director of First Hawaiian Bank, Pacific Guardian Life Insurance Co., Blood Bank of Hawaii, and the Parker Ranch Foundation Trust.