|
renewable · sustainable · community-based
|
Pacific Biodiesel Newsletter
|
|
|
|
|
 Earth Day is April 22nd!
How will you celebrate our Earth?
Come visit Pacific Biodiesel at any of these great Earth Day events!
April 19:
Big Island: Hawaii Community College Earth Day, 9am-4pm
Oahu: Punahou Sustainability Fair, 9am-2pm
Maui: Whole Foods Kahului Flash Mob Street Clean Up,
Hana Hwy., 1pm
April 20:
Oahu: Mililani Town "Green Fair," 10am-3pm
Oahu: 4th Annual Recyle-A-Thon,
University Lab School 9am-4pm
Big Island: Earth and Ocean Family Health Fun Fair, Kealakehe High School, 10am-3pm
April 22 Earth Day:
Maui: Whole Foods Kahului Earth Day, 10am-3pm
Maui: UH Maui College Earth Day Celebration,
Revolution Green showing at 4:30pm with Q&A to follow
Maui/Big Island: Pacific Biodiesel will be holding prize drawings on each island for 10 gallons of biodiesel
April 29:
Oahu: 4th Annual Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus Sustainability Fair
Happy Earth Month
From Pacific Biodiesel!
|
|
Biodiesel Supporters for SB15
Biodiesel fuel customer Stephen Blessman speaks out about his commitment to renewable, sustainable community-based biodiesel
"We have driven a biodiesel vehicle on the island of Maui for seven years and feel very good that we are helping to utilize waste oils that would otherwise be a messy by-product. We are helping to keep our island's sewer systems less clogged up and using a fuel that is non-toxic and could be poured on grass without killing it, accidentally sipped without poisoning us and would extinguish a lit match rather than explode. We are not burning oil and contributing to global conflict and we are not causing toxic pollution. We are supporting a locally owned and operated business and are participating in the creation of high quality green jobs for Maui, Oahu and Big Island workers. We are saving money and most of all, we feel good that we are part of a very real solution and not part of the problems associated with the over-dependence on oil. We believe in community-based, renewable and sustainable use of biodiesel fuel in Hawaii and ask that you move SB 15 forward unanimously and without delay." - Stephen Blessman in support of Senate Bill 15 A note from Pacific Biodiesel Vice President Kelly King...
Mahalo to all our sustainable biodiesel supporters who testified in support of Senate Bill 15. The current version of this proposal includes a production tax credit -- a critical incentive for the expansion of locally produced biodiesel. The final version is being negotiated in Conference Committee and we hope all concerned will recognize that this key step must be taken now in order for Hawaii to meet its Clean Energy Initiative goals of 40% renewable energy by 2030. Mahalo also to all Pacific Biodiesel and Big Island Biodiesel employees who testified in support of the bill, and who dedicate themselves daily to the displacement of imported petroleum. There is still time to urge your legislators to vote in favor of Senate Bill 15!
|
Pacific Biodiesel was named one of Hawaii's
Best Places to Work for the second year in a row.
We appreciate the recognition of sustainable community-based biodiesel and local, green jobs!
|
|
Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas: Excellence in Sustainability Award!
PB sponsors annual Aipono Awards
 | |
From L to R: The Westin KORV Events Manager Tom Florin, PBT CEO Sam Millington, Resort Sustainability Chair Sulinn Aipa, Director of Spa Helani Sarah Hisey, Resort General Manager Angela Nolan, Resort Executive Sous Chef Wes Holder, Resort Hotel Manager Ryan Nobriga & PBL Account Executive Rob Robinson
|
For the third year in a row, Pacific Biodiesel sponsored the "Excellence in Sustainability" award at the Aipono Awards event on April 14. A benefit for the Maui Culinary Academy of University of Hawaii, Maui Campus, the annual event recognizes the best of Maui County's restaurants, hotels and resorts.
The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas received this year's sustainability award, presented by Pacific Biodiesel CEO Sam Millington and Account Executive Rob Robinson. When asked about his award-winning customer, Robinson remarked of the resort, "they are very involved in the community and participate in many environmental outreach events. This resort doesn't only strive for sustainability, they encourage others to do the same."
"The award represents who we are as a company," explained Pacific Biodiesel VP Kelly King. "The Westin KORV has made a conscious effort to preserve the environment by reducing waste and emissions, recycling and supporting renewable energy and local agriculture."
Among the resort's initiatives are high efficiency lighting conversion, water stations throughout the resort as well as an on-site water filtration system as an alternative to bottled water. The resort has
instituted a styrofoam elimination program and provides each visiting family with a complimentary reusable shopping bag. Pacific Biodiesel is proud to be a part of The Westin KORV's mission to recycle 100% of the grease trap waste and used cooking oil for the production of locally produced biodiesel.
The annual Aipono Awards Gala, a production of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine, benefits the Maui Culinary Academy. Ticket sales generate valuable unencumbered funds for the school, as well as scholarship money for deserving students.
|
|
Happy Birthday Willie Nelson!
Renowned biodiesel advocate and Pacific Biodiesel partner celebrates his 80th on April 29
We are honored to wish a happy birthday to our good friend and part time Maui resident Willie Nelson. The namesake of BioWillie™ branded fuel, Willie has been an advocate for peace, family farming, animal rights and sustainable, renewable fuel.
Willie and Annie Nelson first learned about biodiesel when Annie bought her first diesel car and became a customer of Pacific Biodiesel on Maui in 2003. The Nelsons now drive on biodiesel on Maui and at their mainland residences as well as on tour. They are also founding members in the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance with Bob and Kelly King of Pacific Biodiesel. BioWillie™ Biodiesel is made in America from the most sustainable materials available and creates jobs and opportunities in local communities.
Mahalo to Willie Nelson for all of his support of renewable, sustainable, community-based biodiesel and we wish him a very well deserved, very happy 80th birthday!
|
Papaya for Fuel
 | |
Pacific Biodiesel President Robert King (far left) at Governor Abercrombie's check presentation to PBARC on April 6, 2013.
|
The USDA Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center (PBARC) in Hilo and BioTork, LLC have invested in the development of an economically sustainable, zero waste conversion project producing biofuel and high protein animal feed from unmarketable papaya. Some potential benefits of the project include local job creation, potential for increased biofuel production from agricultural waste and a supplement to fish, poultry, hog farmers and cattle ranchers for high protein feed.
|
|
|
New Faces at Pacific Biodiesel
Pacific Biodiesel and Big Island Biodiesel presents new and advancing employees
Big Island Biodiesel
John Griffith, Plant Manager
Originally from Maui, Plant Manager John Griffith, attended Lihikai Elementary and St. Anthony High School. He worked five summe rs at Maui Land and Pineapple, Kahului Cannery and one year at Maui Island Tours before moving to the mainland. He graduated from Oregon State University with a B.S. in Managerial Economics. John moved back to Hawaii to fill the position of Plant Manager after spending 30 years in Oregon, where he worked for Hewlett-Packard for 18 years, the last eight as an Operations Manager. 
Russell Grass, Plant Operator Big Island Biodiesel Plant Operator Russell (Rusty) Grass comes to BIB with years of experience working as a Power Plant Technician on the mainland. He moved to Hawaii so his family could be closer to their Hawaiian roots and practice Hawaiian culture.  Ke Kai Kaleleiki, Plant Operator Plant Operator Ke Kai Kaleleiki recently moved to the Big Island of Hawaii from his home town of Makaha on the Island of Oahu. Ke Kai spent the last 13 years in the petroleum industry as a fuel line pipe welder/fitter, and mechanical equipment setter. He says he is looking forward to the wave of the future. Ikaika Kualii, Plant Operator Big Island Biodiesel Plant Operator, Ikaika Kualii was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii and worked as an electrician before joining the Plant Operations staff at Big Island Biodiesel. Ikaika applied for the position at the BIB Job Fair in March of 2012. He says he is very excited to be part of the team. Pacific Biodiesel Technologies Annette Kaga, Staff Accountant  Staff Accountant Annette Kaga comes to Pacific Biodiesel with many years of experience in accounting. Originally from Hilo on Hawaii Island, Annette moved to Maui 25 years ago. She worked as artist Christian Lassen's personal assistant and is an Auditor for The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui. Pacific Biodiesel Logistics Ledreck Kekona, Driver  Hawaii Island Driver Ledreck Kekona has been in the transportation business for 11 years and is very proud to be a part of a company that benefits from keeping our environment clean for future generations. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family, going to the beach and other outdoor activities, as well as practicing Hawaiian and Tahitian music and drums. Congratulations on your Promotion! Katarina Culina, Fuel Sales Assistant  Katarina is excited to join our team full time as Fuel Sales Assistant. She enjoys serving retail customers and is also taking on new responsibilities to promote PBT through different marketing venues and supporting various facets of our growing company. Her current projects include manning the 100% Biodiesel station in Keaau and participating in community outreach. |
|
|
|
|
Headquartered in Kahului, Hawaii, Pacific Biodiesel was conceived in 1995 as a response to local concerns over unmanageable quantities of waste cooking oil being dumped at the Central Maui Landfill. Since opening and operating the very first retail biodiesel pump in America, Pacific Biodiesel has built a solid reputation as a leading pioneer in the rapidly expanding biodiesel industry. Its research and development division located in Salem, Oregon, has designed and built biodiesel plants from Hawaii to Maryland. PB is committed to the community - based biodiesel model and to our mission of promoting a clean, sustainable energy future through local production of renewable fuels.
|
For more information please visit our website at:biodiesel.com
or contact Beth Mathias at:
|
|
|
|
|
