News Roundup – January 2025 | |
IN THIS ISSUE: 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of Pacific Biodiesel – the nationʻs longest operating biodiesel producer. We take a look back at the last quarter of 2024 and look forward to celebrating this milestone in the companyʻs history. Photography Credits: First Hawaiian Bank (photo of Bob and Kelly King); Travis Morrin Photography (sunflower field drone photo) | |
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30 Years and Growing!
by Pacific Biodiesel Operations Director Jenna Long
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This year marks an exciting milestone for Pacific Biodiesel – 2025 is our company's 30th Anniversary! We are the nation’s longest operating biodiesel company and still Hawaiʻi’s only commercial producer of liquid biofuels. From opening the first retail biodiesel pump in the USA three decades ago to farming the first commercial crop of sunflowers on Maui, Pacific Biodiesel continues to demonstrate a community-based model of renewable fuel and regenerative agriculture thatʻs helping to fight climate change, support Hawaiʻiʻs energy security and food sovereignty, and expand circular economy benefits in our island state. | |
Pacific Biodiesel Director of Operations Jenna Long | |
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While 2024 was another challenging year, the Pacific Biodiesel team, as always, rose to the occasion.
Despite continued supply chain issues, cost fluctuations, lagging visitor arrivals, and labor shortages, the resilient Pacific Biodiesel teams across the state worked together to produce some notable achievements:
- The Hawaiʻi Island refinery is on track to generate over 5.4 million gallons of biodiesel this year; a remarkable achievement given the numerous challenges thrown their way.
- In October, the Oʻahu production team processed a record half a million gallons of grease trap waste, nearly doubling their average for monthly gallons processed.
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Collection teams on Maui, Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island have hauled over 6 million gallons of waste FOG material statewide in 2024, which includes used cooking oil and grease trap waste, most of which is recycled at our facilities. This effort helps keep our local sewer systems and wastewater treatment plants free from greasy clogs.
All these efforts, along with the company's expanded local agriculture operations, support Pacific Biodiesel's 2040 Vision: a realistic pathway for local biodiesel production to support Hawaiʻi's mandate for 100% renewable energy production by 2045.
We are grateful for the support of our employees and our communities as we look forward to furthering our mission in the coming year.
Wishing all a joyous holiday season and a peaceful new year.
Jenna Long
Director of Operations
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Pacific Biodiesel employees and family members from all four island operations gathered on Oʻahu last month for the company's annual holiday luncheon. | |
Pacific Biodiesel Founders Recognized | |
Climate Leadership Awards
Pacific Biodiesel was named Business Climate Champion at the inaugural Climate Leadership Awards presented by Climate Hawaiʻi and hosted by Governor Josh Green at Washington Place on September 9th.
The Business Climate Champion award honors a business that has implemented exceptional sustainable practices, reduced its carbon emissions, advocated for systemic change within or outside its business sector, or developed aggressive plans to accelerate achievement of Hawai‘i's climate goals.
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Pictured L to R are: Shelee Kimura, President and CEO of Hawaiian Electric; Chris Benjamin, Chair of Climate Hawaiʻi; Bob & Kelly King, Co founders of Pacific Biodiesel; Jeff Mikulina, Executive Director of Climate Hawaiʻi; Governor Josh Green | | |
The awards were chosen by a panel of Climate Hawai‘i judges with expertise in climate science, sustainability, resilience, clean energy, and leadership in a number of categories.
Pacific Biodiesel Co-founders Bob and Kelly King attended the prestigious event.
"Looking around the venue, most of the folks in attendance were the movers and shakers of climate action in Hawaiʻi,” noted Kelly. “It was pretty humbling and we felt so honored to be recognized for our efforts. Bob and I share the honor with our dedicated and talented staff, and the community members who have supported us through our first 3 decades on our sustainability journey!"
Read more in the news article here.
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Pacific Edge Magazine - Hawaiʻi Gives Back | | |
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Pacific Edge Magazine features Bob and Kelly King, Co-founders of Pacific Biodiesel, in its recent issue, Hawaiʻi Gives Back.
Community support has been critical to the company's vision and mission, now entering its 30th year. In the article, the Kings share their vision, learning lessons, action steps and how they balance all of it as a married couple.
Find the full Pacific Edge Magazine article here.
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Pacific Biodiesel Co-founders Kelly and Bob King share insights into the company's community-minded mission.
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Pacific Biodiesel's Agriculture Expansion Featured in Sunflower Magazine | |
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Pacific Biodieselʻs Kauaʻi agriculture operations are featured in the January 2025 edition of The Sunflower, the magazine of The National Sunflower Association.
In the article by Don Lilleboe, Pacific Biodiesel Director of Agriculture Operations James Twigg-Smith explains the companyʻs farming operation on Kauaʻi and the unique aspects of farming in Hawaiʻi.
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“Our model is one that promotes both food and energy production,” Twigg-Smith explained. “In Hawaii, we have an acute understanding of our supply chain and the fact that 90% of our state’s food is imported. Hawaii is the most isolated archipelago in the world, with the closest major landmass 2,400 miles away. There is an urgent need to increase food and energy production in Hawaii to reduce dependence on imported goods and bolster food security across the state.”
“We’ve been planning this iteration of the project for about eight years now. It was always a dream. We’ve finally been able to put this together and bring it to life,”Twigg-Smith concludes.
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Photo credit: Travis Morrin | |
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“Where it goes from here is going to be really exciting — those next supporting parts of this agriculture model that are going to come about, like meal for cattle or other ideas like rice that we can put under pivot. It’s exciting to be adding commodity-scale agriculture to our bread basket of local food here.”
Find the full article here.
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First Sunflower Harvest on Kauaʻi | |
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Nearly 100 acres of sunflowers were harvested by Pacific Biodiesel in early September at Kaumakani, Kauaʻi.
With approximately 25,000 sunflowers per acre, the almost one hundred acre field of sunflowers featured an estimated 2.5 million blooms. Each acre of blooms will yield approximately one ton of harvested seed, with about 100 tons of the high oil yield seed anticipated from the harvest.
To learn more about the harvest click here.
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The harvested seeds were transferred from the combine to a truck and driven to the Pacific Biodiesel crushing mill. The seeds were dispensed into the drive-over unloader into the lift-leg elevator and up to the top auger. The auger dispensed the seeds into to the designated silo, where the grain spreader distributed them. Automated stirrers keep the seeds moving so the fans at the bottom of the silo continue to dry all the seeds evenly. | |
Jenna Long Named HTA Board VP; Featured as Speaker at HTA's Annual Meeting | |
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Pacific Biodiesel Director of Operations Jenna Long presented “Biodiesel: A Fuel for Today and Tomorrow" to conference attendees at the Hawaiʻi Transportation Association's Annual Meeting in September.
Also attending the conference were Pacific Biodiesel Supply Chain Supervisor Keali‘i Kaha‘apea and Neighbor Island Operations Manager Jason Imamura.
Long.was installed as the 2nd Vice-President of the HTA Board during the two-day event.
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Attending the annual conference were (L to R) Pacific Biodiesel Supply Chain Supervisor Keali‘i Kaha‘apea, Jenna Long and Neighbor Island Operations Manager Jason Imamura.
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HTA Managing Director Kelvin Kohatsu explained, "My philosophy of succession planning is mentoring and bringing up young courageous persons. Yes, it takes courage to lead, and I admire that in people."
"Jenna is at the top of the list in my book. Her integrity and loyalty in our industry is outstanding!" Kohatsu concluded.
Also on the HTA Board are President Maki Kuroda of Enoa Tours; 1st Vice President William Cunningham, UPS Hawaii Manager; Secretary Greg Sakaguchi, GM of Island Movers; and Treasurer Jamie Barut, Vice President Operations at Polynesian Adventure Tours.
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Pacific Biodiesel Employee Recognition | |
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week -
Sept 15-21
Across the state, Pacific Biodiesel drivers go the extra mile as they deliver biodiesel, collect used cooking oil and service the company's restaurant customers.
"We appreciate our drivers’ focus on road safety and how well they take care of our partners and customers,” said Pacific Biodiesel Operations Director Jenna Long. “Everything here moves by truck, so they are vital to our plant, our customers, even our agriculture. Our drivers keep us rolling! We are grateful for what they do, every day, to safely serve our community and keep our operations running smoothly."
Pacific Biodiesel drivers were presented with gift certificates purchased from the company's grocery store customers.
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Pacific Biodiesel HR Manager Ian Martins (at left) seen here with Foodland Kehalani Store Manager Oswaldo Mina. "We appreciate Pacific Biodiesel servicing all our Foodland locations,” said Mina. "And, we also thank you for supporting our stores in this way.” | |
National Manufacturing Day - October 4
Pacific Biodiesel is proud to say it is the only commercial producer of liquid biofuels in Hawaiʻi. Each year on National Manufacturing Day, Pacific Biodiesel takes time to celebrate its entire team.
Founded on Maui nearly three decades ago, Pacific Biodiesel now has operations on four islands and nearly 100 employees statewide, all working together to support our company's mission since day one: To promote a clean, sustainable energy future through the community-based production of renewable fuels.
The Pacific Biodiesel refinery on Hawaiʻi Island continues to produce some of the highest quality biodiesel in the country. The company hosts educational tours, helping to inform Hawaiʻi's youth about the wide range of local jobs available in the renewable energy industry in the state.
The executive team notes that the key to the company's success is its skilled and dedicated workforce, who work together throughout the organization to support its mission, vision and values.
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Hawaiʻi Agriculture Conference Panel Featured Pacific Biodiesel's Bob King
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The theme for the November statewide conference was "Building CommUNITY through Hawaiʻi Agriculture."
This event, hosted by the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaiʻi in cooperation with the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, explored opportunities for developing unified strategies to address complex issues and determine how the community’s desire for a vibrant agricultural sector, food security, healthy communities and a thriving environment can inform and guide change.
Pacific Biodiesel founder Bob King took part in a panel entitled, "Cultivating the Circular Economy: Agricultural Innovation for Practical Solutions" with fellow panelists Faun Skyles of Farm Link Hawai‘i and Noah Roti of Rowdy Outdoors.
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The panel participants, from L to R:
Moderator Molly Mamaril from Oahu Economic Development Board; Faun Skyles of Farm Link Hawaiʻi; Noah Roti of Rowdy Outdoors; and Pacific Biodiesel's Bob King.
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The session explored Hawai‘i's agricultural circular economy, with a focus on practical, measurable strategies that directly benefit farmers and ranchers and deliver diverse products to our communities.
Click here to view the panelistsʻ presentations.
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The Pacific Biodiesel team has filled the past months with a wide range of community events both in Hawai'i and on the mainland. Hereʻs a quick recap of where weʻve been. | |
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University of Hawaiʻi chemistry students tour Pacific Biodiesel refinery
In October, the Chem 100L class at UH Hilo, along with their instructor Katie Strong, had an opportunity to tour the Pacific Biodiesel Keaʻau refinery and hear from both the renewable energy company’s Director of Operations Jenna Long and QA/QC Analyst Adrian Larkspur who provided insight into chemistry behind the biodiesel process and testing methods.
Educator Kathryn "Katie" Strong, in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, is integrating the science of sustainability into her curriculum. In an introductory chemistry course entitled “Chemistry in Society” (CHEM 100L), which is open to all students, Strong is including sustainability-based field trips to sites around the island.
After the tour of the Pacific Biodiesel refinery, Strong wrote to Jenna Long, Director of Operations, “Thanks again to you and Adrian for having us out today. We really appreciated you sharing your work and mission with us.”
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Pacific Biodiesel Director of Operations Jenna Long (at left) and Lab Technician Adrian Larkspur (at right) hosted the UH Hilo Chemistry Class at the company's Kea'au biodiesel refinery. | | |
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HFUU 2024 Annual Convention - Oct 4-6
Hawaiʻi Farmers United United, in partnership with Hawaiʻi Tropical Fruit Growers and Maui Food Innovation Center, held their annual Convention at University of Hawaiʻi Maui College in October.
The annual event celebrates agriculture, culture, and community with a focus on sustainable and regenerative farming practices.
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Pacific Biodiesel Co-founder Kelly King had the opportunity to speak on the important topic, “Community-based Biodiesel to Grow Hawai’i’s Circular Economy” during the HFUU convention. | |
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ʻInana Innovation Course ENV490- Chaminade University
In September, Pacific Biodiesel Co-founder Kelly King shared her business journey at Chaminade University for the ENV490 Sustainability Innovation course, part of the ʻInana Innovators Program.
The University program is designed to spark sustainability entrepreneurship in Hawai’i-Pacific undergraduates, giving Chaminade’s undergraduate students an opportunity to learn about sustainability entrepreneurship and innovations from a diverse group of industry experts and sustainability leaders who share their stories and expertise with the students.
King covered a range of topics including sustainable agriculture, biofuel production, environmental impact of renewable fuels, and community economic development.
When asked what it takes to have an entrepreneurial spirit, Kelly’s advice was, "Be personally invested and believe in what you're doing. Building relationships is key. You never know who might help you—sometimes it's just the person sitting next to you on a plane. Be open, reach out, and think about how you can work together."
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Find more on Kelly Kingʻs presentation on the ʻInana Innovators website here. | |
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AFOA Annual Meeting Nashville - October 16-17
Pacific Biodiesel President Bob King and Director of Operations Jenna Long attended the Annual Meeting of the American Fats and Oils Association in Nashville. The event attracted over 700 attendees from 16 countries and provided an opportunity to connect with existing contacts and meet new industry players.
Sessions included an overview of domestic and global feedstock trends, how the election may affect the agriculture industry and a presentation from the Sustainable Advanced Biofuel Refiners.
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He Ala Pono - Hilo Sustainability Fair - Oct 19
Big Island EV, Hawaiian Electric, Sustainable Energy Hawaiʻi, and Hawaiʻi County hosted the third annual He Ala Pono Electric Vehicle and Sustainability Fair in October, celebrating clean transportation and sustainability on Hawaiʻi Island at this event.
Biodiesel is a renewable alternative to diesel fuel reducing emissions by up to 86% compared to petroleum diesel. Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine without modification. Users include personal diesel cars, fleets, buses, boats, agricultural equipment and generators.
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Pacific Biodiesel Director of Operations, assisted by daughters Viviana and Catalina, provided information about biodiesel and the company's regenerative agriculture operations for food and fuel at the Hilo expo. | | |
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Lāhainā Housing and Resource Fair - November 4
Pacific Biodiesel co-founders Bob and Kelly King both attended the Lāhainā Housing and Resource Fair in November held at Lāhainā Intermediate School, to show their support for the recovery efforts.
In collaboration with Tipu Tipu Restoration and Sustainability, Pacific Biodiesel donated 20 Milo trees for residents to replant. The native plants were grown in the greenhouses at the Maui Sunflower Farm.
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Pacific Biodiesel's Bob and Kelly King were on hand at the event to show support for Maui residents affected by the 2023 fires. | | |
A milo tree grown at the King's Maui farm by Tipu Tipu Restoration and Sustainability, finds a happy home at the Lāhainā Resource Fair. | | |
Pacific Biodiesel's Twigg-Smith Joins November YPE Speaker Series - November 6 | | |
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Jamie Twigg-Smith, Director of Agriculture Operations at Pacific Biodiesel and member of YPE Hawaiʻi, joined Jamie Ware, Project Director for Renewable Fuels at Par Hawaiʻi; and Christyn Senda, Director of Project and Business Development, Clean Energy at Hawaiʻi Gas at the November Young Professionals in Energy (YPE) for the November Speaker Series. They discussed different lifecycle processes for various types of renewable energy that involve combustion.
Pacific Biodiesel is farming sunflowers on Maui and Kauaʻi for food, animal feed and as biodiesel feedstock.
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Pacific Biodiesel Director of Agriculture Operations, James Twigg-Smith | | |
Report: California GHG emissions decline across most sectors | |
A report released in September for 2022 greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions shows a drop across most sectors that is the equivalent of removing more than 2.2 million gasoline-powered cars off California’s roads for one year.
Read this article from Biobased Diesel Daily.
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Fuel retailers, coalition applaud Senate bill to extend the biodiesel blenders’ tax credit | |
December 20, 2024: NATSO, representing America’s travel centers and truck stops, SIGMA: America’s Leading Fuel Marketers, the American Trucking Associations (ATA), National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), SABR: representing every link in the biodiesel value chain, and the National Energy & Fuels Institute (NEFI) commended Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) for introducing the Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension Act of 2024, which would extend the Biodiesel Blenders’ Tax Credit for one year at the blender level.
Find the details here in Biodiesel Magazine
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Fuel retailers warn Congress of biodiesel industry shutdown without BTC extension, 45Z guidance | | | |
USDA delivers climate-smart ag rule to White House OMB | |
The USDA on Dec. 6 delivered an interim final rule setting technical guidelines for climate-smart agriculture crops used as biofuel feedstocks to the White House Office of Management and Budget. Find the report here in Biodiesel Magazine.
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ENOC Group supplies dnata’s UAE non-electric fleet with biodiesel | |
ENOC Group will supply dnata’s entire non-electric fleet and ground handling services at airports with a blend of biodiesel at its largest hub in Dubai.
Read more here.
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SABR Applauds Bipartisan, Bicameral Introduction of the Farmers First Fuel Incentives Act | |
The Sustainable Advanced Biofuel Refiners (SABR) Coalition is backing the new bill, which favors domestic feedstocks in 45Z and extends the credit until 2034.
Read the full article here.
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Founded in 1995, Pacific Biodiesel is the nation's longest operating and most experienced biodiesel producer, and the only commercial producer of liquid biofuels in the state. A Maui-based company with nearly 100 employees statewide, we established the first retail biodiesel pump in America and for nearly three decades we've been an innovative leader in the renewable energy industry. With a nameplate production capacity of 5.5 million gallons annually, our refinery on Hawaiʻi Island utilizes advanced technology to produce premium distilled biodiesel. Our company has always focused on recycling with a zero waste philosophy that incorporates development of value-added co-products. Today, our collaborative, community-based "agriculture and energy" production model demonstrates a circular economy approach to fighting climate change and helps Hawaiʻi achieve a clean, sustainable energy future. | |
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Founded on Maui in 1995, Pacific Biodiesel is Hawaiʻi's only commercial producer of liquid biofuels.
Our Mission: To promote a clean, sustainable energy future through the community-based production of renewable fuels
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Pacific Biodiesel
2050 Main Street, Suite 3B
Wailuku, HI 96793
Editor: Joy Galatro, Marketing Director
Staff Writer & Layout: Beth Mathias, Marketing Associate
For more information visit our website
biodiesel.com
or contact Beth Mathias at
bmathias@biodiesel.com
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