Hawaii

Pacific Biodiesel Secures Government Grant for Biofuel Innovation in Hawaii Agriculture

Published

11 months ago

January 22, 2024

22-Jan-2024 6:21 PM
Journalist: Francis Stokes

Pacific Biodiesel Technologies has expanded its operations to Kauai, Hawaii, to showcase the production of renewable biofuel in Hawaii derived from locally grown oilseed cover crops.

The overarching goal of the project is to create a prototype solution for renewable biofuel, accompanied by an agricultural model tailored for Hawaii’s conditions. In addition to contributing to the development of a sustainable biofuel source, the initiative seeks to validate the viability of transitioning to this drop-in fuel for military applications, including power generation installations.

This initiative builds upon the foundation laid by Pacific Biodiesel’s prior Hawaii Military Biofuel Crop Project research conducted between 2011 and 2015. In contrast to the earlier project, the current endeavor aims to demonstrate farming at a larger scale, encompassing 1,000 acres or more. The resulting production model is designed to support Hawaii’s objectives in food security, energy security, and supply chain resiliency.

Kauai serves as the project’s operational base, where Pacific Biodiesel initiated the supply of biodiesel to Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) in the preceding year. This biodiesel supply contributes to KIUC’s commitment to achieving 100% renewable electricity production by 2033, aligning with Hawaii’s broader efforts to transition to sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources.

The strategic collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers underlines the intersection of environmental sustainability, renewable energy, and military applications. By showcasing the potential of locally grown oilseed cover crops for biofuel production, the project addresses both environmental and national security considerations.

The project’s emphasis on validating the use of this renewable biofuel for military applications, including power generation installations, holds strategic importance. Military forces globally are increasingly exploring sustainable energy sources to enhance operational efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The success of this project could set a precedent for similar initiatives worldwide.

Pacific Biodiesel’s previous experience in the Hawaii Military Biofuel Crop Project serves as a valuable foundation for the current endeavor. The lessons learned from the earlier research, conducted between 2011 and 2015, likely inform the strategic approach to the current, larger-scale project on Kauai.

In addition to addressing military needs, the project places a significant focus on supporting Hawaii’s food security, energy security, and supply chain resiliency. These aspects are integral to the state’s long-term sustainability goals, and the biofuel production model aims to contribute positively to each of these critical areas.

The location choice of Kauai for the project’s operations is noteworthy, given the island’s commitment to renewable energy through the collaboration with KIUC. Pacific Biodiesel’s biodiesel supply to KIUC aligns with Kauai’s ambitious target of achieving 100% renewable electricity production by 2033. This collaboration represents a harmonious convergence of efforts towards sustainable agriculture and renewable energy in the region.

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Hawaii

Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupts, spewing columns of lava

Published

2 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Press Room

Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupts, spewing columns of lava

LOS ANGELES —

One of the world’s most active volcanoes sprang into life again Monday, spewing columns of lava 80 meters above Hawaii, U.S. vulcanologists said.

Images showed enormous fissures in the caldera of Kilauea, on Hawaii’s Big Island, spraying jets of molten rock into the air.

The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the eruption began just after 2 a.m. local time (1200 GMT) in the southwestern section of the caldera.

“At 4:30 a.m., lava fountains were observed with heights up to 80 meters [262 feet],” the agency said.

“Molten material, including lava bombs, is being ejected from the winds on the caldera floor up onto the west caldera rim.”

The eruption was also sending matter much higher into the atmosphere.

“The plume of volcanic gas and fine volcanic particles is reaching elevations of 6,000-8,000 feet above sea level … and winds are transporting it to the southwest,” the observatory said.

The observatory said sulfur dioxide emanating from the fissure would react with other gases in the atmosphere.

So-called vog — volcanic smog — can affect people and animals, as well as crops.

Kilauea has been very active since 1983 and erupts relatively regularly, including most recently in September.

It is one of six active volcanoes in the Hawaiian Islands, which include Mauna Loa, the largest volcano in the world, though Kilauea is far more active.

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Hawaii

Kilauea volcano erupts in Hawaii, sending lava spewing along summit caldera

Published

12 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Press Room

Kilauea volcano erupts in Hawaii, sending lava spewing along summit caldera

The Kilauea volcano erupted Monday morning on Hawaii’s Big Island following increased earthquake activity beneath its summit, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, began erupting around 2:30 a.m. local time within the Halemaʻumaʻu crater, which is part of the much larger Kilauea caldera at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Webcam footage showed flowing lava and a line of fissures spewing lava fountains at the base of the crater within the summit caldera, the geological survey said.

The volcano is located along the southeastern shore of the Island of Hawaii within the national park, a popular tourist destination for those hoping to catch glimpses of volcanic activity. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park encompasses the summits of two of the world’s most active volcanoes: Kilauea and Mauna Loa.

Volcanic eruption at Kilauea

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Monday raised the volcano alert level from an advisory to a warning, meaning a hazardous eruption “is imminent, underway, or suspected.” The survey also issued a red aviation color code, which indicates a “significant emission of volcanic ash” is likely, suspected or imminent, according to the USGS.

Elevated earthquake activity was first detected beneath the summit at approximately 2 a.m. local time Monday.

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said it “will continue to monitor this activity closely and report any significant changes in future notices.”

The national park has not yet posted any visitor information about the volcanic activity.

Watch: Livestream captures volcanic eruption

Kilauea has erupted several times this year

Kilauea erupted most recently between Sept. 15-20 along the middle East Rift Zone, a remote and closed area of the park, amid increased seismic activity in the area, before moving into the Napau Crater.

The volcano also erupted in June about a mile south of Kilauea caldera, marking the first eruption in that region of the volcano in about 50 years. The last one took place in December 1974.

Kilauea erupted three times in 2023, bringing more than 10,000 tourists to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to see the fountains of lava. In 2018, the volcano erupted for three months straight, destroying more than 700 structures, including 200 homes on Big Island, and displacing some 3,000 people – many of whom were unable to return home more than a year after the eruption.

Contributing: Christopher Cann, USA TODAY

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com

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Hawaii

Hawaii surfer Landon McNamara wins the 2024 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational

Published

20 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Press Room

Hawaii surfer Landon McNamara wins the 2024 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational

WAIMEA BAY (HawaiiNewsNow) – It’s official: Landon McNamara has won the 2024 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational.

He received 135.8 points as well as the highest-scoring wave of the competition — a perfect score of 15 — which earned him the Best Wave Award.

“This is a childhood dream of mine, something I’ve been working at since being a little kid on the beach here, watching these events go down,” he said. “I don’t know what to feel right now. I’ve already cried 10 times.

“I’m grateful to Eddie,” McNamara said. “Both my heats, I had a turtle I was following. For real. … They say Eddie picks the winner, and I’m so grateful he picked me.”

The accomplishment is even more fitting considering his father, Liam McNamara, is the contest director.

The top nine finishers were:

Landon McNamara (HI, 2024 WINNER)
Mason Ho (HI)
Billy Kemper (HI)
Jamie O’Brien (HI)
Nic Lamb (CA)
Luke Shepardson (HI, 2023 WINNER)
Nathan Florence (HI)
Kai Lenny (HI)
Koa Rothman (HI)

Competitor Greg Long received the Aloha Spirit Award. “Participating in this event has been the greatest honor and privilege of my life,” he said.

THE EDDIE IS ON: View our complete coverage

Tens of thousands of people gathered on Oahu’s North Shore to witness the historic event Sunday.

Waves were 50 feet in face height, according to Liam McNamara.

“The conditions are amazing. There’s a strong offshore breeze right now,” McNamara told Hawaii News Now early Sunday morning. “We’re looking for an amazing day of competition. This is a historic day. We want to make sure we start it with a bang and we end with a bang.”

This is the 11th time “The Eddie” has run in the last 40 years, and participation is by invitation only.