Agency Helps Migrants Get Jobs in Maui

A social service agency in San Diego County is working with a Hawaiian nonprofit organization to recruit migrant laborers for agricultural jobs in Maui.

The Rev. Rafael Martinez, director of the North County Chaplaincy, said 10 legally documented workers from Mexico currently are preparing to take jobs with Hawaiian pineapple and macadamia nut companies. Martinez said his agency expects to send another group of 30 to 40 workers by February.

Gladys Baisa, executive director of Maui Economic Opportunity, said workers will be paid a minimum of $8.47 an hour and will be housed in clean, air-conditioned dormitories.

Many of the fieldworkers in San Diego County are paid half of what they would be paid in Hawaii and are housed in crude shelters, Martinez said.

Baisa said her organization, established 26 years ago, began working two years ago with social service agencies in seven Western states to send laborers to Hawaii. About 400 have been placed thus far, she said.

“They adapt very well because the Mexican culture is very similar to the Hawaiian culture--very family-oriented, very culturally sensitive,” she said.

Most of the workers recruited from San Diego County will be employed at the Maui Land and Pineapple Co., a major farm and canning operation. Some will work for a large pineapple and macadamia nut company called Wailuku Agribiz, and still others will be employed by small, independent growers, Baisa said.

Agricultural workers are in constant demand in Maui because of a low 2.6% unemployment rate combined with a high turnover as field hands and canners move to easier jobs in hotels, restaurants and the like.

In almost all instances, workers will have one-way air fare paid by the employer, provided they stay on the job at least six months, Baisa said.

The Maui agency also offers other services for migrant workers as many prepare to also bring their families.

“When they are ready to bring the family . . . we will assist that family in moving into the community, getting the children in school, helping them with immigration,” she said. “Our goal is that they will . . . stay here and become part of our permanent work force.”