For 12 years, Clayton English worked his way up the ladder at Molokai Ranch — first as a security guard, then as a maintenance worker and, finally, as a landscape supervisor.

He made good money, started a 401(k) program and bought a two-bedroom home in Ho'olehua. Life seemed secure until March 24, when the ranch announced it would close. Now, the 52-year-old husband and father finds himself among Moloka'i's many unemployed.

"It's so difficult for the people on Moloka'i because of the lack of jobs in their community," said Scott Morishige, Community Clearinghouse project manager for Helping Hands Hawai'i. "A couple told me that with the handful of jobs available, when they go to a job interview, they compete against their neighbors and co-workers from the ranch. That has been one of the hardest issues about the layoffs."

The unemployment rate on Moloka'i was 5.1 percent in April, the latest figure available. But that doesn't take account for the more than 120 people who lost jobs when Molokai Ranch closed on May 21. Statewide, the unemployment rate is 3.3 percent.

Some of the 8,000 people who live on Moloka'i commute to work on Maui or plan to move off island. Those who stay struggle with gas prices topping $4.50 a gallon, rising electric costs and limited access to fresh groceries.

Many can't afford health insurance when they are between jobs, Morishige said.

The Neighbors in Need Fund is aimed specifically at people who have lost their job recently. That includes the workers at Molokai Ranch, Aloha Airlines, ATA and Weyerhaeuser Co., Morishige said.

English and his wife hope they can make it through this difficult time without assistance, but they know it is there if they need it.

To help make ends meet, they planted a vegetable garden. They make bread pudding and go to the local farmers market every other Saturday to sell it along with lettuce, bok choy, tomatoes and 'opihi salad.

"It's tough to find a job now," English said. "They have some jobs over here, but not the same kind of pay. On Moloka'i, you can't be choosy."

English said he was one of the last employees let go at Molokai Ranch.

"It was stressful at the ranch," he said. "It came as a surprise for most of us. I had a feeling it might shut down, but not for another five or 10 years. I was hoping to retire from there."

He is optimistic he will find another job. But, he said, at his age, he'll be competing for jobs with freshly minted high school graduates looking to stay in their hometown.

He hopes he can find a job that will let him keep his home on 3.25 acres of Hawaiian homestead land so he can provide stability for his wife, Annette, and their 7-year-old daughter.

"I had friends from O'ahu who called and offered me a job," English said. "But I don't want to move. I'll just stay here and find work."

Annette English said so far the family has been able to pay the mortgage. And if it comes to it, they'll forgo electricity to make the house payment.

"If it comes to electric, we can cook outside," Annette English said. "We can make a fire and heat the water. But the most important thing is having a roof over our head. We're pinching. We're barely making, but I think we'll be OK."