Moving Forward by Keeping It Local

The people of Hawaii are rightfully suspicious of new agricultural projects. Their land has been exploited and depleted by the production of global commodities for export, such as sugar cane and pineapple. These products were never intended for consumption in Hawaii. They were grown by large corporations for the benefit of those corporations. Palm oil production, as we envision it, is an industry that will benefit small farmers and small businesses. As the world moves forward with wind, solar and/or hydrogen for fuel, palm oil produces such a variety of goods that it will always be a good investment for the future of Hawaii’s resiliency.

HOSPRO aims to return agricultural production, farming, to a profitable enough endeavor that it can again be at the center of rural community economies. Mills, products and, therefore, jobs would not only be local in nature, but also have a higher earning capacity and security than the average construction and tourism job. We estimate that for every ten acres of oil palms planted, one new job will be created by harvesting, milling, packing, trucking and management, etc. (See attached figure below.) Oil palms production thus creates homegrown businesses where the money stays in Hawaii, making local products for local consumption, strengthening island bioeconomy.

Looking Ahead

Three development phases are planned:

Phase I: establish the nursery and set up the mill, thereby enabling HOSPRO’s growth through the sale of palm seedlings, palm oil, mill waste for animal feed, etc., and explore carbon credit marketing. Progress so far:

• Thousands of oil palms ready for harvest;

• Purchased a processing mill for biofuels and animal feed;

• Gained access to land and building in the Puna District of the Big Island (Hawaii Island) for the mill, biochar retort, and nursery buildings. The site includes steam vents and solar power to reduce costs;

• A local market for raw oil has been identified; other purchasers are available;

• More than 40 small landholders with over 2,2000 acres have requested seedlings.

Phase II: build an ethanol refinery, an edible cooking oil refinery and begin research to develop industrial products in collaboration with University of Hawaii.

Phase III: develop new products and new patents to partner with or sell to local investors for new products. Phase III will require collaboration with local partners and researchers.

All phases require an employment base that can be partially filled by college students as interns. To promote this, HOSPRO plans to create a 501(c)3 educational nonprofit to support these internships and university partnerships. By Year 5, the new industrial development should be self-sustaining.

Go To: Get Involved

HOSPRO needs funding to advance beyond the proof-of-concept stage. We are poised to begin oil production and build a nursery for sprouting seedlings for the several dozen small landholders who are waiting. Our economic model appears sound, so we encourage those who would like to give back to Hawaii to invest in its future.

Please go to our “Get Involved” and sign up for as many options as you are interested in.