Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-02-02
PINEAPPLEP
OF ISLANDS Will
SHOW HEAVY DROP
Output in 1916 Will Be 500, 900
Cases Less Than Last Year,
Says James D. Dole
FURTHER DECREASE IN
1917 Is LOOKED FOR
Hawaiian Pineapple Co. Earned
Dividend Despite Adverse
Year, Says Report


| for two years have struggled against
an overproductiCn of fruit which tend
ed to break prices and in many cases
reduce profits to the vanishing point,
are facing better times
The boom in pineapple planting
which broke in 1918, is now a thing
of the past, Great areas are now 60
ing out of bearing, with the result
that this year the pack of the Hawaii
an islands is likely to be less than
10000 cases, against 1,9S4,7S5 cases
in 1915. There is even a prospect Of
further decrease in the 1917 yield.
The foregoing figures are deduced
| from the annual report of James ID.
Dole, president and general manager
of the Hawaiian Pineapple Company,
Ltd, which was submitted this after
noon at the annual meeting Of the
shareholders of the company. Presi-
dent Dole said, in part: .
High Mark Is Passed.
THE year 1915 witnessed the high
mark IN pineapple production of the
Hawaiian islands, and the maximum
result of the boom in pineapple plant
ing, which eliminated in the enor-
NOUS area planted during the years
1911, 1912 and 1913. A pineapple plant
takes approximately year and half
to two years to come into bearing, re-
mains in bearing from two to four
years, but after its second crop, it's
output declines very rapidly. .
"The boom in pineapple planting
may be said to have broken in 1918,
and the disastrous effect on many OF
the growers of the low prices since
obtained have further curtailed plant
ings. Hundreds of acres of old fields
are going out of bearing this year and
cannot he brought into bearing again
before 1919 or 1920 at the earliest.
These conditions, together with the
greatly curtailed crops on the island
of Maui, due to the severe weather
conditions on that island in the sum-
mer of 1914, will result in a decrease
In the pack of the Hawaiian islands
for the year 1916 of at least 100000
cases, very likely more, followed by a
still further decrease in 1917"
Dividends Kept Up. s.. -.
That his company was able to earn
dividend in spite of the fact that,
for the second consecutive year, Ha
waiian canned pineapple sold at a.
price materially below the average isl
and cost of production, was another
statement made by James d. Dole,
president and manager of the Hawaii
an Pineapple Company, at the annual
meeting of the stockholders this after
noon. ..-.. .- - r.
Mr.. Dole's report showed that the
company's pack for the year was
T,570.445 cans or $780, .7S5 cases, which
was an increase of 106,305 cases over
1914. The increase, Mr.. Dole said,
was due entirely to the purchase of
fruit from outside growers. "
Own Tonnage Was Less.
Because the company had curtailed
its own paintings in 1913, the deliv.
cries of fruit from its own plantation
amounted last year to 1881 tons, or
decrease of 1884 tons from the 1914
deliveries. Purchased fruit amounted
to 1886 tons, which was an increase
of 6S76 tons over 1914. ~>..
In spite of comparative increase
in our sugar cost over 1914 of approx
mately $4,000" he continued, the
costs of the factory and plantation
operations have been satisfactory and
in general have shown improvements
over previous results. During the
year we reached the point where we
had entirely outgrown our old wooden
office and have erected a new rein.
forced concrete and tile two-story
building at a cost of $1S,51073. We
have no further capital expenditures
of any moment in view"
kooIau Fruit Business Big.
Commenting on the business of the
Koolau Fruit Company, which is
owned by the Hawaiian Pineapple
Company, Mr.. Dole said that. during
the year, it sold 724S> tons of fruit as
against 6035 tons in 1914.
1t was pointed out that the pineap-
pie company is still unable to resume
business with its German customers,
but that, contrary to expectations,
business with Great Britain and
France has increased 33 1-3 per cent
in 1915. About a year ago the com.
pany concluded to employ an expert
chemist with a view to working I'D
bybroducts, improving the quality and
uniformity Of the syrup, studying GER
tain chemical problems and securing
a more scientific control over packing.
The results" Mr. Dole explained,
have fully justified the Inauguration
Of this department and it is hoped
that further gains may result from it
in the future" 49,. ..
1t was thought unlikely that any
great changes in the directorate would
be made at today's meeting.