With a defense contract in hand, Hawai‘i BioEnergy LLC, in which Maui Land & Pineapple Co. is a founding partner, is ready “to move from R (research) to D development),” says ML&P Chief Operating Officer Robert “Rob” Webber.
A marker of progress since the alliance was formed in 2006 was the appointment last week of an [...]

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Fallow Lands Could Produce Ethanol, Supporters Say
Critics are saying it’s time for Congress to reconsider ethanol as an alternative fuel, and Hawaii politicians are pushing full-speed ahead to promote ethanol production on fallow sugar lands.
KITV’s Denby Fawcett reported why supporters say ethanol production is still a good idea in Hawaii.
Critics said the diversion of corn [...]

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Biofuels, criticized by some as contributing to worldwide food shortages by diverting crops from grocery stores, are getting a closer look in Hawaii as the state continues searching for ways to curb its reliance on imported oil.
The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism held its first public meeting yesterday toward developing a statewide bioenergy [...]

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A resolution moving forward in the state Legislature threatens to undermine county ordinances regulating vacation rentals on agricultural land, but may clarify an ambiguous state law affecting hundreds of landowners, officials said yesterday.
Critics ranging from county councils to farm bureaus submitted testimony last week strongly opposing the proposed legislation and questioning the abnormal process by [...]

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Resolution supports 10-year moratorium
A deeply rooted community debate over the future of a culturally important crop on Kaua‘i climaxed late Thursday night at the Historic County Building.
After hearing hours of heartfelt pleas and hopeful comments from farmers and scientists, keiki and kupuna, the County Council passed a resolution supporting a bill pending in the state [...]

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Most residents back county resolutions for cultural reasons
More than a dozen residents opposed to genetically modified taro hoisted the culturally important plant and flaunted “protect your roots” shirts behind farmers who testified before the Kaua‘i County Council, yesterday, at the Historic County Building.
The council has proposed resolutions supporting three bills pending at the state [...]

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