When Del Monte Fresh Produce announced in early 2006 that it would close in 2008, employee Gregoria Padilla was worried about finding another job. At the time she was 56, had been working as a packer for Del Monte for about 25 years, and had only a sixth-grade education in the Philippines.

Now, at 57, the divorced mother of two grown daughters is finding she has more options than ever before.

Not long after Del Monte's announcement, she attended classes and got her competency-based high school diploma in May. She's taking a computer class and is training to be a cashier at Wal-Mart, where she's employed as a stock worker.

"Now I believe it's never too late to learn," Padilla said with a smile. "When they call me in Wal-Mart to do something, I'm not scared anymore. Now I feel like it's easy."

SUCCESS STORIES

Padilla is one of the success stories who have come out of the closing of Del Monte Fresh Produce's Kunia pineapple operation, which resulted in the layoff of more than 500 employees.

Del Monte announced in February 2006 that it would close its Kunia pineapple operation by the end of 2008.

But last November, the company said it had accelerated those plans and was closing immediately, laying off 551 employees. Workers were paid through Jan. 22.

Since then, many have found other work or are receiving training and other services. Still, some continue to look for work.

Padilla said she is making slightly less an hour at her new job. But she has confidence in the opportunities that are available to her.

While Padilla may be one of the more exceptional cases, ILWU Local 142 social worker Joanne Kealoha said it appears the majority of the former Del Monte workers are either waiting for their pensions or have found other full- or part-time jobs.

One of them is Conrado Sumera, who worked for Del Monte for about 20 years, most recently as a loader in the shipping department.

Like Padilla, he was worried about finding a job; he was in his late 50s and he wanted to find work close to his home at Poamoho Camp because of his school-age son, said his wife, Susan.

Now Conrado is working at The Inn at Schofield Barracks as a groundskeeper, a job that he enjoys, said Susan, who is a housekeeper at the inn. He's earning less than he made at Del Monte, and receives a federal wage subsidy, Susan said.

But Conrado is expecting an increase in pay soon, which will raise his hourly wage to more than what he made at Del Monte, she said.

"Even though Del Monte closed, there are other doors that opened for us," she said. "We're thankful to God."

SOME EARNING LESS

Some workers still face challenges.

Kealoha said while many workers have new jobs — most of them in agriculture — at least some of them are earning less than they did when they were working for Del Monte. The seasonal nature of the agriculture industry also can make such jobs less stable, she said.

About 280 former workers had been receiving unemployment insurance benefits, and as of the end of July, that number shrank to about 110 people, according to Debbie Kim Morikawa, city Department of Community Services director.

Those whose unemployment benefits were to expire at the end of last month may receive extended benefits if they're undergoing training or meet other requirements.

Kealoha said some may not be receiving unemployment benefits because they found a job, or quit because they didn't like it and then no longer qualified for unemployment. Some also have been intimidated by the process involved in getting unemployment benefits, she said.

"I think there is still work to be done," Kealoha said. "There are still people we should be able to get help to."

About 250 former workers are getting help from O'ahu WorkLinks, a partnership of government and community agencies, Morikawa said. She said many also have retired and that some have found jobs on their own, thanks to a healthy economy.

About 60 people have completed or are undergoing training in areas including commercial driver's license, certified nurse's aide, customer service and cashiering and facility maintenance, Morikawa said. About 30 other workers have completed or are attending competency-based high school diploma programs or other classes.

The ILWU and O'ahu WorkLinks have been working to help the displaced workers, many of whom are over 50 and have challenges with English, reading, writing and math.

In addition to helping workers find jobs and upgrade their skills, the ILWU and Oahu WorkLinks also are working to get eligible workers connected with federal and other assistance.

For example, those 50 and older who have full-time jobs and earn less than $50,000 are eligible for federal Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance, which offers temporary wage subsidies. The wage subsidies cover up to 50 percent of the difference between Del Monte's pay and new wages, up to $10,000 over two years.

Kealoha also said many workers were interested in state legislation signed into law this year that creates a "pineapple workers and retirees housing assistance fund" totaling $1.2 million over two years to provide mortgage payments or rent subsidies for eligible Del Monte employees and retirees who were affected by the closure of company operations. It's still unclear who will be eligible for the help.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

The Hawai'i Housing Finance and Development Corp. has said the program requires an administrative rule-making process and could be operating by the end of the year. The HHFDC board approved a draft of the rules — which determines eligibility and other matters. Public hearings will be held.

Still to be resolved is the future of about 115 plantation homes at Kunia Camp, which is on land leased by Del Monte from the James Campbell Co. Rent is expected to rise next year and may increase this year, too, Kealoha said.

In the meantime, James Campbell Co. has said it's been working with the ILWU, Del Monte and government officials to reach a solution before the end of 2008, when Del Monte's lease runs out.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.