Sustainable Bioenergy for Hawaiʻi Island
Replacing imported fossil fuel with local, renewable resources to produce stable energy.
Sustainable Bioenergy for Hawaiʻi Island
Replacing imported fossil fuel with local, renewable resources to produce stable energy.
Honua Ola is vital to strengthening Hawaiʻi Island’s energy independence and reliability.
Honua Ola Bioenergy
is a state-of-the-art renewable energy facility capable of delivering up to 30 MW of electricity 24/7 to the Hawaiʻi Island grid, enough power to support residents living in 19,500 homes.
Built on the site of the old sugar mill in Pepe‘ekeo, Honua Ola has been transformed into a power facility using modern digital operating systems and state-of-the-art emissions control equipment to protect the community, workers and the environment. Honua Ola is now 99.5% complete and can be ready to start operations soon after receiving approval.
Honua Ola Bioenergy will provide renewable, stable energy for Hawaiʻi Island.
- Thirty megawatts of clean, renewable energy will be added to the grid before any other new or additional sources of power, providing urgently needed electricity that reduces fossil fuel consumption and accelerates the transition away from aging fossil fuel facilities.
- Honua Ola will be a stable, always-available source of renewable electricity on the Hawai‘i Island grid when compared to fossil fuel and biofuel power plants. Honua Ola is able to achieve this affordability, in part, because using locally produced fuel will always be less expensive than using imported fuels.
- The facility’s fixed-cost structure will help shield Hawai‘i Island ratepayers from fluctuations in imported fuel prices, providing greater long-term price stability.
- By ensuring an always-available around-the-clock energy supply, the facility supports grid reliability and facilitates the addition of intermittent renewable resources such as solar and wind.
- The facility enables lower levels of lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to current fossil fuel facilities.
The project aligns with the state’s energy mandate of 100% renewable electricity by 2045.
A clear majority of Hawaiʻi Island residents view Honua Ola favorably, and support the facility’s ability to provide the following benefits:
Economic Boost
Honua Ola will generate more than 200 jobs in operations, forestry and transportation, primarily in east Hawaiʻi Island.
Equitable Energy for Hawai‘i Island Residents
Honua Ola will stabilize energy costs for Hawaiʻi Island and improve the quality of life for residents.
Always Available Renewable Energy, Day and Night, in All Weather
Reliable, 24/7 renewable energy, as distinguished from solar and wind, which are dependent on the sun shining and the wind blowing.
Environmental Sustainability and Resilience
Honua Ola will minimize the environmental impacts associated with fossil fuels while meeting and exceeding government standards for sustainable clean-energy production.
Overall Resident Support is Strong
A 2024 scientific public opinion study shows that most Hawai‘i Island residents support Honua Ola and the benefits the state-of-the-art facility will deliver.
Rooted in Hawai‘i. Powered by Purpose.
Honua Ola Bioenergy is committed to providing stable, clean energy to Hawaiʻi Island’s electric grid through the harvesting and regrowing of non-native eucalyptus and removal of harmful invasive plant species, such as albizia, strawberry guava and gorse.