News Roundup – August 2024 | |
IN THIS ISSUE: This summer has been a full one for our team across the state and beyond! This issue recaps our regenerative farming progress and related activities on Kauaʻi, and highlights recent feature stories and leadership presentations as we spread the word about the benefits of biodiesel, and more. | |
Updates on Kauaʻi Ag Expansion | |
Pacific Biodiesel hosts farm tours of its first field of blooming sunflowers on Kauaʻi | |
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The Pacific Biodiesel team welcomed guests for private farm tours on Friday, July 12th at its first field of blooming sunflowers on Kauaʻi – the same 100-acre field where a Blessing was held earlier this year on Earth Day.
The day included tours of the company’s new crushing mill at the Gay & Robinson, Inc. property in Kaumakani, tastings of the company’s locally produced culinary oils and a visit to the 100 acre blooming sunflower field via a school bus shuttle provided by Hawaii Agricultural Foundation.
Read all about the day's events here.
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After visiting the field, guests showed off their blooms on the school bus shuttle. | |
US Army Corps of Engineers team reviews progress of Pacific Biodiesel's federally funded Kauaʻi project | |
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Earlier this month, Pacific Biodiesel welcomed members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center to its new mill in Kaumakani, Kauaʻi to tour the companyʻs federally funded expansion project on the island. The purpose of the visit was to inspect significant project equipment and review proposed purchases.
Visiting for the bi-annual project review were Tarek Abdullah, Power and Energy Resilience Project Manager; Clinton Cender, Chief, Energy-Power and Mechanical Systems Branch; and Sheila Paczosa, Agreement Officer.
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Standing by the storage silos are from L to R: USACE's Clinton Cender and Sheila Paczosa, Pacific Biodiesel Co-founders Bob and Kelly King and USACE's Project Manager Tarek Abdullah. | |
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"We demonstrated how we are economically using the funds by sourcing used equipment, like the combine and our refurbished expeller press," explained Pacific Biodiesel Director of Ag Operations James Twigg-Smith. “We are proud of our management of the project funds and our purchasing strategy which enables us to maximize our resource utilization."
Afterward, Tarek Abullah wrote, "Excellent meeting today! I always learn a lot and walk away fascinated with your work and accomplishments each time we meet."
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New equipment arrives on Kauaʻi in preparation for the island's first sunflower harvest | |
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As the first sunflower field on Kauaʻi readies for harvest, the Pacific Biodiesel team has taken delivery of some critical pieces of equipment. More acreage for farming at Kaumakani means bigger equipment with greater capacity than what is used on the smaller Maui farm. The new automated combine can harvest 12 acres per hour or up to 96 acres in an 8 hour day. The new, larger expeller press, which naturally crushes the seeds to extract the oil can process up to 40 tons of harvested seeds per day.
Harvest of the 100 acre sunflower field, the company's first on Kauaʻi, is expected to take place in early September.
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The new combine can harvest up to 96 acres of sunflowers in an 8 hour day. | |
The refurbished expeller press is off-loaded at Pacific Biodiesel's crushing mill in Kaumakani. | |
Director of Agriculture Operations James Twigg-Smith stands in front of the combine harvester. | |
Pacific Biodiesel Founders Featured on the National Stage | |
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by Keith Loria, Biodiesel Magazine
"Operating for nearly 30 years, Pacific Biodiesel's commitment to sustainability extends far beyond biofuel production and future ambitions...the company is showing no signs of slowing down."
Read the full article here.
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Biodiesel Magazine,
2024 Summer Edition
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Kelly King Featured Speaker at the 2024 Northern New England Energy Conference | |
Invited to speak to liquid fuel dealers from the Northeast this past June, King outlined how Pacific Biodiesel’s community-based production model supports the circular economy.
“Benefits include local family wage-earning jobs, local revenue – with 85% staying in the state – local food and fuel security, and the best GHG reduction for environmental protection,” she said.
Read more here.
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In addition to her main presentation at the Bar Harbor, Maine conference, Kelly King joined in a round table discussion, Energy Choice & the Future of Liquid Fuels. | | |
"Hawaii's Community-Based Biodiesel Fuels Community"
Biobased Diesel Magazine
An editorial by Pacific Biodiesel Co-founder Kelly King was featured in the Summer 2024 edition of Biobased Diesel Magazine.
"On the heels of two meaningful events we’ve recently hosted for our community, I am inspired to focus on the “community” aspect of our model at Pacific Biodiesel that integrates local regenerative agriculture for “food then fuel,” she said.
Click here for the full article.
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Biobased Diesel Magazine,
Summer 2024 Edition
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"Flower Power"
by Sarah Sekula for USA TODAY
In the Sustainability Section of its May 24 weekend edition, USA TODAY featured Pacific Biodiesel in an article titled "Flower Power."
Author Sarah Sekula visited Maui for interviews with the Kings to learn about the company's history and how their regenerative farming contributes to Hawaiʻi's circular economy and the state's clean energy future.
“Our goal for the state of Hawaii is to get off of fossil diesel,” Kelly King says in the article.“
Find the online article here.
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USA Today
Weekend Extra, May 24, 2024
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11th Annual Hawaii Energy Conference Panel Features Pacific Biodiesel Founder Bob King | |
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Earlier this year, Pacific Biodiesel President and Founder Bob King presented at the 2024 Hawaii Energy Conference as a guest panelist for the session entitled, “Fueling the Future.”
“If we’re going to get there by 2045, we can’t start in 204," King said. "These are expensive, elaborate projects, even the farming. It takes years to get land into production, get the systems set up, get the equipment. We’re not going to turn this thing off and on quickly.”
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For more of King's comments and to watch the full panel presentation click here. | |
Company's Regenerative Farming Helps Mitigate Kaumakani Fire Damage | |
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On July 15, a fire raced from Hanapēpē to Kaumakani, burning 1,000 acres.
These aerial photos of Pacific Biodiesel's sunflower field (dark green) demonstrate the importance of productive agriculture when it comes to fire mitigation.
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Photo credit: Gay & Robinson, Inc.
“We are grateful to the Kauaʻi fire department and other agencies for their efforts in combating the fire. I'm also super proud of our guys. They were discing within feet of the fire and didn’t back away at all. I’m also grateful for our entire team – having these crops on the field saved countless acres and helped to prevent the loss of a historic village,” said Pacific Biodiesel Director of Agriculture Operations James Twigg-Smith.
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Agriculture Leadership Class Hosted at Central Maui Farm | |
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In June, Class XVIII of the Agricultural Leadership Program (ALP) visited the Maui sunflower farm of Pacific Biodiesel founders Bob and Kelly King to learn about their regenerative farming practices and model of "food then fuel" that supports Hawaiʻi's circular economy.
The Agricultural Leadership Program (ALP) is a signature program of the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaiʻi (ALFH), bringing together promising leaders from Hawai‘i’s diverse agriculture sector.
Read more here.
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Hawaii State Energy Office Tours Kauaʻi Operations | |
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Last month, Bob King welcomed members of the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office (HSEO) for a tour of the companyʻs new mill and expanded agriculture operations in Kaumakani, Kauaʻi.
Participating in the tour were Chief Energy Officer Mark Glick, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Managing Director Maria Tome, and Deputy Director of Energy Stephen Walls.
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Hawaiʻi State Energy Office team members who toured Pacific Biodieselʻs new mill and expanded agriculture operations on Kauaʻi are L to R: Maria Tome, Mark Glick and Stephen Walls, seen here at the Kaumakani sunflower field. | |
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During their visit, the HSEO team toured the fields, facilities, and equipment while discussing various aspects such as costs, logistics, and byproducts, and evaluating the energy potential of the operation.
"Pacific Biodiesel’s 'fuel and food' production model demonstrates the potential for biofuels in the state’s renewable fuel mix. It was encouraging to see acres of sunflowers producing food, feed, fuel and even serving as a firebreak," said Tome. "The project is clear evidence that local ingenuity and public-private sector partnerships have a role to play in energy security, supply chain resilience, and greenhouse gas reduction.”
Read more about this visit in the recent HSEO Newsletter
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Oʻahu Team Celebrates National Fried Chicken Day | |
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Did you know that July 6 was National Fried Chicken Day? The team at Pacific Biodiesel did, sending out a big mahalo to all of its customers across the state who choose to recycle their used cooking oil with the company, including Chick-fil-A, KFC, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Von’s Chicken, Jollibee and Kyochan and many others.
On O’ahu, Pacific Biodiesel managers celebrated the day with fried chicken lunches for all the staff, purchased from a few of those restaurants.
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Pacific Biodieselʻs O’ahu logistics team enjoyed fried chicken from one of their favorite customers. | |
Team members from the Sand Island facility were also treated to a fried chicken lunch. | |
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Pacific Biodiesel collects used cooking oil from local restaurants at no charge. The oil is recycled at our Hawaiʻi Island refinery and used in the production of distilled biodiesel for use in the state.
For every gallon of recycled used cooking oil collected, Pacific Biodiesel produces nearly 1 gallon of biodiesel.
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Pacific Biodiesel Community and Industry Outreach | |
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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Hawaii On the Hill, Washington, DC - June 15-18
Pacific Biodiesel and its sister company Maiden Hawaiʻi Naturals were featured in the 8th Annual Hawaiʻi on the Hill event hosted by Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi in partnership with US Senator Mazie K. Hirono.
Senator Hirono, who earlier in the year toured the new Pacific Biodiesel Kauaʻi crushing mill and tasted the company’s locally made culinary oils, encouraged the company’s participation.
Randall Francisco, President of the West Kauaʻi Business & Professional Association, who also assisted in coordinating Kauaʻi based businesses to attend the event said, "A highlight of this year's Chamber of Commerce of Hawaiʻi on the Hill was the addition of Maiden Hawaiʻi Natural’s premium Sunflower oil used in the Taste of Hawaiʻi Kauaʻi shrimp appetizer."
The annual D.C. event showcases Hawaiʻi’s food, beverages and culture with attendees including members of Congress, federal officials and embassy representatives from around the world.
"I'm always proud of this annual Hawaiʻi collaboration of businesses working together for the combined benefit of Hawaiʻi, especially this year which was to continue the message about supporting Maui in its recovery with the help of federal dollars," Francisco added.
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US Senator Brian Schatz (third from right) joined Randall Francisco, President of the West Kauaʻi Business & Professional Association (at far left), and other members of the Kaua'i delegation for samples of "Kaua'i Spicy Sweet Shrimp" prepared with Maiden Hawaiʻi Naturals Sunflower oil.
Photo credit: Hawaiʻi Chamber of Commerce
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Maui AgFest - June 1
Pacific Biodiesel's James Forrest and Ian Martins staffed the company's booth at the 15th Annual Maui AgFest and 4H Livestock Fair at the War Memorial Field in Kahului.
Visitors to the Pacific Biodiesel/Maiden Hawaiʻi Naturals booth received information about the benefits and uses of biodiesel, the company's regenerative agriculture operations and its premium culinary oils.
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Kaua'i Climate Action Forum - July 10
Pacific Biodiesel President and Founder Bob King was the featured presenter in the July 10th online forum organized by Kauaʻi Climate Action Coalition.
King's presentation "Community-Based Biodiesel to Grow Hawaiʻi’s Circular Economy,” focused on the company’s expansion of agriculture operations to Kauaʻi as part of its regenerative agriculture and renewable fuel model.
A robust question and answer session followed the presentation where King answered numerous questions and highlighted the ease of use and benefits of the company's premium distilled biodiesel.
Watch the full recording here.
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Sustainable Chamber of Commerce - July 22
Pacific Biodiesel sponsored the July Pau Hana Mixer of the Sustainable Chamber of Commerce held at the Wailea Contemporary Gallery on Maui. Attending the event from Pacific Biodiesel were Co-founders Bob and Kelly King and Marketing Director Joy Galatro, all members of the Chamber. Kelly King spoke to the group, highlighting Pacific Biodiesel's role as a model for the circular economy.
Guests enjoyed a buffet of items from Lunch Box Maui, some of which were prepared with Maiden Hawaii Natural's Hawaiian Macadamia Culinary oil. Raffle items were also donated by Pacific Biodiesel.
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Pacific Biodiesel Co-founder Kelly King addresses guests at the Sustainable Chamber of Commerce mixer in Wailea. | | |
Volvo expands its range of B100 biodiesel-powered trucks | |
In yet another move in line with the company’s strategy to reduce the climate impact, Volvo approves B100 for a wide range of vehicles.. Read this article from Biobased Diesel Daily.
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ISO publishes updated fuel specification for marine applications, including B100 approval | |
The new spec sets forth detailed requirements for marine fuels, including biodiesel blends up to B100,,as reported by Clean Fuels Alliance here in Biodiesel Magazine.
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Iowa boosts funding for renewable fuels infrastructure | |
In part the bill will help retail stations install equipment to supply higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel, as reported here in Biodiesel Magazine.
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City of Lincoln to fuel municipal fleet with biodiesel | |
The city's biodiesel incentive program will replace 215,000 gallons of petroleum diesel in nearly 130 fleet vehicles.
Learn more in this article from Biofuels International.
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"K" Line conducts B-100 trial
Japan's Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha "K Line marine car carrier aims for carbon-free operations with B100 trial.
Read the article here in Biofuels Digest.
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Powering the future: The role for internal-combustion engines in a reduced-carbon world | |
"ICEs are uniquely positioned for the future leveraging today’s fossil fuel-based economy and adapting to tomorrow’s more sustainable one that relies on renewable fuels and dramatically reduced carbon,” according to the Engine Technology Forum's new white paper .
Read more here.
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First B100 Bunkering in Singapore Completed | |
Danish shipping company Norden completed its B100 biofuel bunkering in Singapore, reaching a new milestone in its goal to contribute to the industry's decarbonization.
Read the full article published in Offshore Energy 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 Hawaii 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 Hawaii achieve a clean, sustainable energy future. | |
Founded on Maui in 1995, Pacific Biodiesel is Hawaii'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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