Project Overview

The Hu Honua clean energy project produces electricity from locally grown sustainable crops and surplus green waste that would otherwise go unused. The Hu Honua bioenergy facility is a 24-megawatt (MW) power station, consisting of a readapted existing facility that is being retrofitted with modern “green” technology to convert locally grown sustainable biomass into electricity. The goal of the clean energy project is to utilize 100 percent renewable feedstock, such as wood residue, to generate electricity at the plant.

Supplying energy directly to the regional utility grid, Hu Honua will deliver enough electricity to power approximately 18,000 homes. Employing plant materials that otherwise go unused, the power station will stimulate the local forestry and agricultural industries and prevent tens of thousands of tons of green waste from taking up scarce space in Hawaii County's landfills each year.

Project Facts

• Goal: Use 100% biomass to power a 24-megawatt renewable energy facility
• Utilizes existing sugar mill power plant structure
• Powers 18,000 homes with renewable energy (7-10% of the Big Island's electricity requirements)
• Replaces 225,000-250,000 barrels of imported oil annually
• Ample on-island biomass resources, including:
• residual wood from the local timber industry
• invasive species clearing operations
• landscaping materials
• green waste otherwise being landfilled

Helping to paint the first green paint strokes on the former Pepeekeo sugar mill power station, symbolic of its transformation into a "green" biomass energy facility, were (from left) Hu Honua Bioenergy director Dan KenKnight, ILWU 142 Hawaii division director Richard Baker, Hawaii County director of research and development Jane Testa, U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Representative Mazie K. Hirono, MMA Renewable Ventures vice president Tim Lasocki , U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie and Hu Honua Bioenergy COO Guy Simmons. (Aug. 20, 2008; photo courtesy of Hu Honua Bioenergy, LLC)