On May 8 of this year, Pacific Biodiesel will be 20 years old. It is a continuing rollercoaster ride, but our greatest accomplishment has been adhering to our mission of community-based sustainability. As America's oldest and most experienced biodiesel company, we feel an obligation to be true to our values, walk the talk and always conduct business with honesty and integrity.

A lot has happened since 1995 and we have so many people to thank that it would be folly to try to include them all here. From the day we committed to invest our life savings into this recycling/biodiesel production venture, to building the present statewide operation, we have always known that our greatest wealth would be the friends, supporters and colleagues we've met along the way. Many have told us that Pacific Biodiesel has given them hope for the future and that in turn inspires us to keep pushing the envelope.

It has been most gratifying to raise our own children on renewable energy; indeed, both our daughter and son are now working for the company and both have driven biodiesel vehicles since they received their licenses.   Our family now includes the most loyal and dedicated employees on all islands, and we continue to marvel at their ability to overcome challenges week after week.

As we look forward from this point, we know that diversification is necessary to remain in biodiesel fuel production. The biofuel crop project, the crushing mill, the waste papaya algae demonstration, the Aina Mo' soil amendment project and the potential additional biodiesel refinery installations are all components of our expanded operations that bring additional challenges, but also the exhilaration of expanding our horizons. And as we continue to dispel doubt and rumor about biodiesel itself, we have joined with the City & County of Honolulu, County of Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric Company, and soon the State of Hawaii, in helping our island community reach its Clean Energy Goals.  Tens of millions of miles have been driven on biodiesel in Hawaii since we started Pacific Biodiesel two decades ago, and we have miles to go before we sleep.