Kaua'i Mayor Bill "Kaipo" Asing today issued a statement offering the county's support to Gay & Robinson and its employees following the announcement the company is exiting the sugar business and is moving forward with negotiations to lease its sugar mill and other assets to an ethanol-producing company.

"It is our hope and belief that Gay & Robinson is doing everything it can to (ensure) all workers continue to be employed throughout this transition and will eventually be working for Pacific West Energy growing sugar cane for ethanol production," Asing said in a written statement.

"We are optimistic that, while we are seeing the end of one era in agriculture on Kaua'i, we are on the horizon of a new era of agriculture that will (ensure) Gay & Robinson will be around for many more decades, and that Kaua'i will be more sustainable with this new and locally grown source of renewable energy."