Company News - August 2026 | | |
Mid-Year Company Update
by Operations Director Jenna Long
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Aloha, kākou!
Over the past few months there have been numerous setbacks for the biodiesel industry both locally and nationally. We have had to reduce our biodiesel production rate due to the lack of federal support, although we do have the capacity to ramp back up with increased distribution and demand. On another front, we were disappointed that proposed legislation for a B5 mandate (a 5% biodiesel blend, one of the lowest in the nation) did not pass through the State legislature.
Despite those challenges there have been some high points.
- Our Hawaiʻi Island refinery marked its 14th year of operation last month and I am extremely proud of our entire team.
- On July 14th, Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green signed legislation to create a clean fuel standard for the state. While the details are yet to be outlined, we are cautiously optimistic.
- Our Maʻalaea biodiesel fueling station set a sales record in May, offering B100 for both vehicles and marine customers.
| | Pacific Biodiesel Director of Operations Jenna Long fuels up her vehicle with 100% biodiesel from one of the company's biodiesel stations on Hawaiʻi Island. This month Pacific Biodiesel has opened a B20 station next to its refinery. | | |
With petroleum fuel prices rising sharply these past few months due to global conflicts, our locally produced biodiesel is priced lower at the pump and more economically and environmentally advantageous now more than ever before. In response to market demand, this month we have opened our first B20 station next to our biodiesel refinery on Hawaiʻi Island. Read more in this issue.
We are grateful to HDTC for their funding award which supported plant optimization and increased recycling with fewer inputs. Plans to increase heat capacity and improve separation at our O'ahu facility are underway. More about the MAP award in this issue.
I am wrapping up my term as President of the Hawaiʻi Transportation Association in the next few months and look forward to seeing many of you at the Annual HTA Membership Meeting, Conference and Trade show in September.
Mahalo to all of our customers and supporters. We appreciate you!
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Jenna Long
Director of Operations
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Bob King Presents
at Hawaiʻi Energy Conference
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"Energy: Power, People & Place" was the theme of the 2026 Hawaiʻi Energy Conference in May. Bringing together leaders, policymakers, cooperatives and energy innovators, the conference was an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue on how policy, technology and cultural wisdom can shape a resilient and more affordable energy future across all generations.
Pacific Biodiesel Founder and President Bob King spoke on a panel entitled "Renewable Fuel Supply for Hawaiʻi" along with panelists from Hawaiʻi Gas, Aloha Carbon and Par Hawaiʻi. The panel was moderated by Michael Angelo, Executive Director, Hawaii Division of Consumer Advocacy, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
To hear Bob King's perspective on the renewable fuel supply challenges and opportunities in our state, watch the full panel presentation on our website.
| | Renewable Fuel Supply for Hawaiʻi panelists (L to R) Christyn Senda, Director of Project and Business Development, Hawaiʻi Gas; Joelle Simonpietri, Founder and CEO, Aloha Carbon; Jamie Ware, Project Director, Par Hawaiʻi; Pacific Biodiesel Founder and President Bob King, and moderator Michael Angelo. Photo and video credit: Maui Economic Development Bureau | | Biodiesel Station Updates | | |
New B20 Station Opens at Pacific Biodiesel Refinery
Since 2022, Pacific Biodiesel has operated six biodiesel stations around the state where consumers and commercial fleets can purchase pure distilled biodiesel (B99.9) for their diesel vehicles, boats or off-road equipment.
This month, Pacific Biodiesel has opened a new B20 station next to its refinery on Hawaiʻi Island.
"We are pleased to open this additional fueling station in Keaʻau to meet local demand for B20, which is a popular biodiesel blend among trucking fleets," said Pacific Biodiesel Sales Manager Christopher Long. B20 is a blend of 20% biodiesel with petroleum diesel.
Pictured below is the new station being installed earlier this month. To download the free app to access any of the biodiesel stations or to open a commercial account, visit our website or contact FuelSales@Biodiesel.com.
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Biodiesel Stations Offer Prices Lower Than Fossil Diesel
Locally produced biodiesel is critically important now more than ever before, not only for the environment but for energy security, national security and cost savings!
Over the past several months, consumers have been paying more at the pump for gasoline and petroleum diesel due to escalating conflicts in the Middle East that have caused fossil fuel prices to spike here and abroad.
Currently the price for locally produced biodiesel is LOWER than imported fossil diesel. This week on Hawaiʻi Island, as an example, the retail prices for on-road biodiesel at our fueling stations in Keaʻau are $6.14 per gallon for B99.9 biodiesel and $6.59 per gallon for B20 biodiesel. That's compared to average petroleum diesel prices of $7.00 per gallon on Hawaiʻi Island and $6.96 per gallon statewide, according to AAA.com.
If you have a diesel vehicle, now's the time to give our premium distilled biodiesel a try. To download the free app to access our biodiesel stations or to learn more, visit our website.
| | Our biodiesel station at Māʻalaea Harbor on Maui (pictured above) welcomes cars, trucks AND boats to fuel up with our 100% renewable fuel that's biodegradable, non-toxic, non-flammable and reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions by 86% compared to petroleum diesel (fossil fuel). | | Ag Leadership Program Class XIX Visits Pacific Biodiesel | | |
“What does leadership in your industry and business mean to you?”
This was one of the topics our co-founder Kelly King addressed during a June 3rd visit from Agricultural Leadership Program (ALP) Class XIX to the company's Central Maui farm. Participants were accompanied by Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaiʻi Executive Director Christine Brammer and Program Manager Sarah Voigt.
| | | Pacific Biodiesel previously hosted an ALP class two years ago. Once again, the newest ALP class was welcomed to learn about our regenerative farming practices, business successes and challenges, important industry policies and much more. ALP is the signature training program of the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawai‘i (ALFH). The foundation has been helping to develop agricultural leaders for Hawai‘i since 1982, graduating more than 200 people who are positively impacting Hawai‘i agriculture and their communities. | | Participants joined Pacific Biodiesel Co- Founder Kelly King who spoke about the recent sunflower harvest. | | Members of ALP Class XIX learned first hand about the regenerative farming practices used at the company's Maui farm. Below, the group poses for a photo after the tour. | | "Mahalo for sharing your story and the vision behind Pacific Biodiesel. One of my biggest takeaways was seeing how waste streams can become valuable infrastructure when paired with creativity, leadership, and long-term commitment. Your work challenged me to think differently about circular systems and how agriculture, energy, and community resilience are more connected than many people realize. Thank you for helping us see a practical example of innovation rooted in Hawaiʻi's needs," wrote participant Judah Lum of Kahuku Farms following the tour. | | |
Agriculture Update
by Director of Agriculture Operations Jamie Twigg-Smith
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As of June 2026, our Kauaʻi and Maui farming and mill operations have officially been renamed as Kuleana Farms, a name befitting our mission and shared responsibility to further local agriculture to strengthen our food and energy systems within our state.
We continue to see progress with our operations and Iʻm happy to report here on some of the updates from our farm at Kaumakani.
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First Canola Harvest A Success
Our first canola field grown on Kauaʻi in 2026 was very impressive in terms of plant growth and yield.
The crop was planted in early February and harvested in May. The crop is currently siloed and will be run through our mill's expeller press for oil extraction and subsequent biodiesel production. We expect an oil yield of roughly 6,000 gallons from this field.
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Corn Grain Sold to Meadow Gold
Non-GMO corn grain grown at our Kuleana Farms operation on Kauaʻi has proven to be of great value to local producers. Beginning in June, Meadow Gold Dairy began purchasing and supplying our locally grown grain to their cattle as a part of their regular feed ration.
"We are grateful for Kuleana Farms’ commitment to producing locally grown feed and agricultural byproducts," said Meadow Gold Dairy CEO Bahman Sadeghi. "This partnership represents another important step toward strengthening Hawaiʻi’s local dairy and livestock industries. By sourcing locally, we not only support our farmers and agricultural community, but also help build a more resilient and secure food system for Hawaiʻi."
By sourcing local, Meadow Gold reaps the benefits of providing fresher feed for their herd from a closer source than the West Coast, maintaining supply chain stability for their operation. Huge appreciation to Meadow Gold for their willingness to support local agricultural commodities. Industry sourcing of locally grown commodities is the foundation from which we can build a diversified agricultural economy here in Hawaiʻi.
| | The corn grain is stored in one of the three grain silos at the company's Kaumakani operation, each of which holds up to 165 tons of harvested grain. | |
Dryland Sunflower Harvest
With the significant rains we saw this past spring, fields on Kauaʻi were saturated and primed for planting of non-irrigated sunflowers, commonly known as ‘dryland’ sunflower.
In total, roughly 50 acres were planted and the sunflowers grew with no additional irrigation or fertilizer, which is a true testament to their resilience! With harvest slated for early September, be sure to check back in for an update on our dryland field.
| | Pacific Biodiesel President Bob King joined George Twigg-Smith in the blooming canola field, an 80-day oilseed crop, prior to its harvest. | | 50 acres of dryland sunflowers were planted with no additional irrigation or fertilizer. | | Editor's Note: Along with his expertise in farming, Director of Agriculture Operations Jamie Twigg-Smith has honed his photography skills, capturing this stunning photo of a pueo keeping a watchful eye over our sunflower field. The pueo, Hawaiʻi's endemic short-eared owl, is known in Hawaiian culture as a protector and guide. We'll share more updates and photos as these fields – and our production – continues to grow. Follow @pacificbiodiesel on social media to stay in the know! | | | Pacific Biodiesel Receives MAP Award | | |
Pacific Biodiesel was one of a number of companies awarded funds from The Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) as announced in a news release from the Office of the Governor.
Pacific Biodiesel received the award from the Manufacturing Assistance Program (MAP), which supports qualified manufacturing investments, for a decanter system and new methanol reboiler at the company's biodiesel refinery. The decanter system is a crucial part of processing grease trap waste into usable grease feedstock for biodiesel production. The newer, more efficient methanol reboiler saves money in labor, shipping and energy consumption.
The MAP program is designed to sustain growth, modernize production capabilities and strengthen Hawaiʻi’s manufacturing competitiveness.
According to the news release, "These allocations reinforce HTDC’s commitment to cultivating a robust technology and business ecosystem in Hawaiʻi that nurtures economic resilience, fosters innovation and fuels long-term growth for local enterprises."
| | Celebrating World Ocean Day | |
In honor of World Ocean Day, Pacific Biodiesel joined other volunteers in a beach clean-up hosted by one of its biodiesel customers, Pacific Whale Foundation. The beach cleanup took place off Stable Road in Spreckelsville on Maui. Together, volunteers removed 511 pounds of debris from the shoreline, helping to keep our oceans and marine life safe. The volunteers also enjoyed lunch from Flatbread Pizza and some sunflower donuts from Madame Donut.
| | The volunteers collected debris in Spreckelsville at the June beach clean-up. | | The Pacific Biodiesel team posed with Selket Kaufmann of Pacific Whale Foundation. | | Pacific Biodieselʻs Kelly King enjoys a special sunflower donut created by Madame Donut. | | Another longtime biodiesel customer that celebrated World Ocean Day is Fair Wind Cruises on Hawaiʻi Island. Pictured below, the crew proudly flies their "Ocean Friendly Biodiesel" flag on their biodiesel-powered Hula Kai boat. | | Events & Community Outreach | | |
Hawaii Hotel & Restaurant Show
In June, Pacific Biodiesel's sister company featured its new Kuleana Hawaiʻi Grown culinary oils at the Hawaiʻi Hotel & Restaurant Show on Oʻahu. The display was included in DBEDT's Hawaiʻi Made Pavilion where locally made products had an opportunity to shine in front of restaurant and hospitality industry leaders.
Sales Manager Christopher Long and Marketing Director Joy Galatro were on hand to offer tastings of the Sunflower and Macadamia oils and provide information to guests attending the two day event.
| | Sales Manager Christoper Long attended the two day expo as part of DBEDT's Hawai'i Made Pavilion featuring locally made products from throughout the state. |
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Maui Sunflower Farm Stand
For two weekends in May, the Maui Sunflower Farm, operated by Pacific Biodiesel Co-Founders Bob and Kelly King, opened the blooming fields to the public and hosted a pop-up farm stand. During Mother's Day weekend, each Mom was gifted a beautiful sunflower bloom. In addition to taking photos in the sunflower fields, guests were able to purchase blooms and Kuelana Hawaii Grown culinary oils, all while learning about Pacific Biodiesel’s mission to cultivate local crops for food and fuel.
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Maui Ag Fest
The 17th Annual Maui Ag and 4H Livestock Fair was a celebration of Hawaiʻi agriculture, helping to build community and raise awareness of the importance of agriculture in island life. In the Ag Education tent, Pacific Biodiesel showcased its model of regenerative agriculture, growing oil seed crops for both food and fuel. Kuleana Hawaiʻi Grown Oils were available for purchase at special event pricing.
The May 30th event connected local farmers, ranchers and food producers with an estimated 7,500 attendees. Waste stations were provided by Maui Huliau Green Events who reported that a total of 1,090 pounds of waste was diverted from the landfill through recycling and composting, including used cooking oil from the food trucks collected and recycled by Pacific Biodiesel.
| | Pacific Biodiesel's Aaron King and Dora Viramontes greeted attendees at the booth in the Ag Education tent. | | The team at Maui Hub sold local produce and food products, including Kuleana Hawaiʻi Grown Oils, which they also offer through their online marketplace and distribution network. | |
HTA Golf Tournament
Pacific Biodiesel Director of Operations Jenna Long also serves as current President of the Hawaiʻi Transportation Association and recently volunteered at the Association's Annual Spring Golf Tournament. The event is a fundraiser for HTA, a non-profit trade organization that supports and advocates for the commercial ground transportation industry throughout the state.
Jenna assisted with registration along with Michelle Elaban from Monarch Insurance (above). She also helped out on the beverage and snack cart during the tournament where she was able to greet many of the participants. Pacific Biodiesel was a double-hole sponsor this year and donated prices from our sister company Kuleana Hawaiʻi Grown Oils.
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UHMC Earth Day, April 25
In April, Pacific Biodiesel exhibited at the UH Maui College Earth Day event, themed "Ho‘ola I Ka Wai, Ho‘ola I Ke Ao" = Heal the Water, Heal the World. Attendees were provided with information on our premium biodiesel, regenerative agriculture operations and locally sourced Kuleana Hawaiʻi Grown Oils. Pictured here are Agritourism Director Aaron King and Co-Founder Kelly King at our booth.
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Professional Ethics Class
Kelly King, Pacific Biodiesel Co-Founder, recently was guest speaker at UHMCʻs Professional Ethics Class, led by Professor Joshua Mandelstam. King spoke about the importance of high ethical standards as it relates to conducting business, including with customers, vendors, suppliers and employees.
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IRFA urges US EPA to include biodiesel in Clean School Bus Program
In April, The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) submitted comments in response to U.S. EPA’s request for information on the Clean School Bus Program. Comments included, "Unlike electric buses, which require significant capital investment both in terms of new vehicles and charging infrastructure, biodiesel blends of up to B20 can be used in every diesel school bus operating in America today." Find more in the article here.
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Inland navigation: New list of engine approvals for B100, blends facilitates climate protection
Biodiesel could become significantly more important in inland navigation in the future. According to a list compiled by Germany’s biodiesel quality management association (AGQM), many marine engines are already approved for operation with pure biodiesel (B100) or higher biodiesel blends such as B20 and B30. Find more in the article here.
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Legislation to roll back diesel-emissions regulations advancing through Congress is not in the public interest.
The fate and future of engine makers and fuel producers are inextricably linked. More sustainable engines using more renewable fuels lifts us up. Policies that diminish sustainability and clean air take us downward. Read the article here.
| | Did you know, Pacific Biodiesel offers Hawaiʻi Restaurants FREE collection of their used cooking oil (UCO) and customizable containment solutions? For each gallon of UCO recycled, we're able to produce nearly one gallon of biodiesel at our Hawaiʻi Island refinery. In the past, Hawaiʻi restaurants were paying up to $2 per gallon for proper removal and disposal of their UCO; since 2010 Pacific Biodiesel has performed this service at no charge. | | 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 more than 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 "regenerative agriculture and renewable energy" production model demonstrates a circular economy approach to fighting climate change and helps Hawaiʻi achieve a clean, sustainable energy future. | | |
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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