News Roundup – June 2023

IN THIS ISSUE: Pictured above, Pacific Biodiesel makes its first biodiesel delivery to Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative; Sunflower Farm Music Fest shines the spotlight on Hawaii's food hubs; Pacific Biodiesel's "circular economy" model featured in multiple media outlets; voting now underway in MauiTimes "Best of Maui" readers poll.

Record-Breaking Production & Expanding Customer Demand A Mid-Year Update from Operations Director Jenna Long

Aloha! 2023 has been a busy year so far with lots of good news to report. Our statewide team has achieved some significant production milestones – and our biodiesel customer base continues to expand as demand for local biodiesel increases.  As you’ll read in this issue, Pacific Biodiesel this week delivered its first tanker of biodiesel to Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) as part of our recently executed fuel supply contract. KIUC is on an accelerated pathway to 100% renewable energy by 2033 and we’re proud to support them. In May, Pacific Biodiesel’s Hawaii Island refinery produced more than 550,000 gallons of premium distilled biodiesel for the month, a record for this facility.

Also, thanks to efficient new storage tanks installed at our Sand Island facility, our Oahu plant recently set a record for the amount of fats, oils and grease (FOG) extracted from grease-trap waste collected from local restaurants, an important local feedstock we recycle to produce our fuel. Grant funding from Hawaii Technology Development Corporation helped offset expenses for these manufacturing equipment upgrades.   These higher production volumes enable us to continue to meet increasing demand for biodiesel from customers such as Hamakua Energy, which used their highest monthly volume of biodiesel this past April – 487,898 gallons! This 60 megawatt power plant is a key component of the energy grid on Hawaii Island and we are grateful for their continued support of locally produced biodiesel. Another way we’re meeting demand for local biodiesel is the installation of off-grid biodiesel fueling stations at convenient locations around the state. We recently opened our second station on Hawaii Island – in Pāhoa – offering both off-road and on-road fuel for this community and surrounding areas.   We're proud that Pacific Biodiesel continues to be recognized as a model for the circular economy in Hawaii and around the world. Check out the roundup of media coverage and other community outreach in this issue.   Mahalo to all of you who continue to support local biodiesel! Jenna Long Director of Operations

KIUC Receives First Delivery from Pacific Biodiesel

Pacific Biodiesel makes the first delivery of biodiesel to Kapaia Power Generation Station on Kauai.

Yesterday, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) received its first delivery of locally produced biodiesel as part of its new fuel supply contract executed last month with Pacific Biodiesel. Under the agreement, Pacific Biodiesel will supply biodiesel to partially fuel KIUCʻs 27.5 megawatt Kapaia Power Generation Station.  KIUC is on an accelerated pathway to 100% renewable energy by 2033, which is more than a decade earlier than the State of Hawaii’s mandated timeline of 2045.   “Kauai is a shining example for the world to see that a 100% renewable future is achievable, especially for vulnerable island communities that are on the front lines of the climate crisis,” said Pacific Biodiesel Founder and President Robert King. Watch the lead story on Hawaii News Now. Click here to read the press release.

In the Media

Kelly King Presents Circular Economy Benefits of Community-Based Biodiesel in Latest Guest Editorial

In the Summer Edition of Biobased Diesel Magazine, guest contributor Kelly King, pictured here, details why community-based biodiesel is the “poster child” of the circular economy. The circular economy brings climate action into the local equation alongside basic needs like farming, food production, clean water and housing," notes King.

The article describes how Pacific Biodiesel and the Kings’ farming operations embody the circular economy and the multitude of benefits community-based biodiesel provides in reversing the impacts of the climate crisis. Click here to read the full article in Biobased Diesel Magazine.

Pacific Biodiesel Founders Participate in Akakū Panel Centered on Maui's Circular Economy Earlier this month Akakū Maui Community Media hosted a video screening and panel discussion about the circular economy on Maui at its Akakū Upstairs June salon titled, “Sunflowers, Sustainability & Self Sufficiency”. Panelists Bob and Kelly King, founders of Pacific Biodiesel along with Autumn Rae Ness, co-founder and president of Maui Hub, were inspiring and thought-provoking as they described to the live audience how their operations are contributing to Maui’s circular economy. Click here to learn more and watch the full panel presentation.

Hawaiian Airlines Music Video Filmed at Maui Sunflower Farm

Hawaiian Airlines is featuring the music of Hawaii on their in-flight videos showcasing the islands’ top artists performing at iconic local landmarks. Last fall, their production team recorded at Bob and Kelly King’s farm on Maui where 20 acres of sunflowers were in full bloom. Watch the music video here.

Pacific Biodiesel & Mama's Fish House Featured in KHON2 Empowered Hawaii's "Food For Thought" Episode

This month, KHON2 Empowered Hawaii featured Pacific Biodiesel. In the latest episode titled "Food for Thought," Pacific Biodiesel founders Bob and Kelly King are interviewed at their Maui Sunflower Farm to talk about their company's sustainable agriculture & clean energy model that supports energy security and food security in Hawaii. Longtime restaurant customer Mama's Fish House is also featured – Executive Chef Perry Bateman talks about how he prefers Maiden Hawaii Naturals Maui Sunflower culinary oil and the importance of supporting local farmers and food producers. Watch the episode here.

Pacific Biodiesel Opens Second Off-Grid Fueling Station on Hawaii Island

Expanding access to its locally produced biodiesel on Hawaii Island, Pacific Biodiesel has opened an off-grid fueling station in Pahoa at 15-3070 Pāhoa Kapoho Road, located southeast of the intersection of Hwy 130 and 132 (Enter from Hwy 132).    According to Retail Fueling Manager Christopher Long, the Pāhoa area has long been under-served. Learn more here.

Hawaii Island Company Demonstrates “Farm to Boat” Sustainable Travel

Hawaii Island’s Fair Wind Cruises – a family-owned tour boat company celebrating its 51st anniversary this year – is committed to preserving and protecting the environment for the next generation. The company proudly fuels its two vessels – Fair Wind II and Hula Kai – with local biodiesel, a 100% renewable fuel they’ve been using since 2013.

Fair Wind is also showcasing sustainable travel practices in its “farm-to-boat” menu, sourcing much of the local produce grown organically at the farm run by the founder's family.

Read the full article here.

Sunflower Farm Music Fest Held on Earth Day 2023

The Sunflower Farm Music Fest presented by Pacific Biodiesel and Mana‘o Radio on April 22, 2023 was a beautiful day of live music, healthy local food and blooming Maui Sunflowers for a good cause: Hawaiʻi Food Hub Hui and Mana‘o Radio.   The event helped shine a spotlight on the food security cause to share the important work Hawaiʻi's food hubs are doing to help local farmers increase local food production. Read the event recap here.

Honolulu Fire Department Commends Pacific Biodiesel Manager

On June 16th, the Honolulu Fire Department recognized 55 civilians, police officers, and fire fighters at its first Commendation Ceremony since the start of the pandemic.   Pacific Biodiesel’s Oahu Plant Manager Brian Leighton, pictured here, received a Certificate of Commendation for assisting a driver after an accident in August of 2021. Read about the award here.

Maui High Ag Students Learn About Regenerative Farming at Maui Sunflower Farm

Partnering with Hawaii Agricultural Foundation’s In the Fields program, Pacific Biodiesel welcomed a group of nearly 50 Maui High School Ag students and their teachers to the Maui Sunflower Farm operated by our founders Bob and Kelly King. Held on March 2, the tour included a variety of hands-on activities designed to feature the company’s regenerative farming operation to produce “food then fuel” for Hawaii. Read more here.

Pacific Biodiesel Nominated for MauiTimes "Best of Maui 2023"

Pacific Biodiesel has been nominated by the Maui community in a variety of categories for the MauiTimes BEST OF MAUI readers poll, which celebrates the best people, places, local products and companies of Maui. Please go to the link below and vote for our company in the following categories: Best Place to Work (50+ employees) = Pacific Biodiesel Best Green Business = Pacific Biodiesel Best Local Food Product = Maiden Hawaii Naturals Maui Sunflower Oil Best Farm = Pacific Biodiesel's Maui Sunflower Farm Best Music Festival = Sunflower Farm Music Fest Vote now through July 7 at https://bestofmaui.mauitimes.org/  While you're there, vote for all your other Maui favorites in the categories of Food, Drink, People, Retail, Services, Arts & Entertainment, Health & Beauty, and Da Kine! Maui Times says: "We want to shine a spotlight on local businesses and bring awareness to the importance of supporting them. With the challenges faced over the past few years, it's more important than ever to show our support for the local economy and the hard-working people who make it thrive."

Industry Roundup

Slight volume increases for biobased diesel in 2023-'25 final RFS rule not enough, stakeholders say In this article, Michael McAdams, president of the Advanced Biofuels Association says, “By choosing not to reflect the available and growing supply of advanced biofuels in this three-year rule, the EPA is overlooking a chance to reduce 7 trillion pounds of CO2 from our atmosphere.” Get the details in this article from Biobased Diesel Daily.

ISA launches interactive B20 Club webpage Webpage features an interactive map of Illinois-based organizations that utilize 20 percent biodiesel and higher blends to fuel their fleets. Read the article in Biodiesel Magazine here.

SNCF’s use of B100 reduces CO2 emissions by 11,000 tons In France, since April 2021, trains on the Paris-Granville line have been powered exclusively by B100, Read the full article here.

Marine logistics company completes pilot use of 100% biodiesel Dutch maritime logistics companies joined forces to pilot the use of 100 percent fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) biodiesel on VT Group’s ship MTS Vlissingen. Find out more in this article from Biobased Diesel Daily.

Nebraska governor signs bill promoting use of biodiesel Gov. Jim Pillen (R-NE) signed into law legislation that provides retail tax incentives for the sale of biodiesel at fuel retailer locations throughout the state. Details can be found here.

CO2 regulation for heavy-duty vehicles should recognize decarbonization potential of renewable fuels European Biodiesel Board, together with other members of the European industry, wrote an open letter calling for recognition of the decarbonization potential of sustainable and renewable fuesl. Read the details here.

IRFA offers farmers cash back for fueling with biodiesel The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association's On-Farm Biodiesel Credit program gives farmers up to 50 cents per gallon for filling an on-farm tank with a biodiesel blend for use in agricultural operations. Find the article in Biodiesel Magazine here.

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.

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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

Pacific Biodiesel 16 Hobron Avenue, Kahului Hi 96732 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 STAY CONNECTED ‌ ‌ ‌