Hawaii: Protest Against Palm Oil

Hawaii environmental groups to be represented in Illinois protest agribusiness interests in Palm Oil Biodiesel, Rainforest Destruction

Maui Tomorrow renewable energy advocate to join Rainforest Action Network event at Archer Daniels Midland annual shareholders meeting, spread word about

Press Release: Hawaiian Electric's plans to import palm oil

November 4, 2008 For more information contact: Rob Parsons, 808-280-1369 robparsons@earthlink.net

For Immediate Release

MAUI renewable energy advocate from Hawaii is traveling to Decatur, Illinois to join an educational effort to sway a major agribusiness corporation away from harmful impacts associated with widespread
mono-cropping of soybeans and palm oil for biofuels.

Former Maui County Environmental Coordinator Rob Parsons will join a protest by Rainforest Action Network at the annual shareholders meeting of Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), one of the world¹s agribusiness giants. Parsons, who serves as Executive Vice President of Maui Tomorrow Foundation, Inc., has obtained a shareholder¹s proxy for the meeting, and will address the group.

"We will remind them that soy and palm plantations are among the greatest threats to the world's tropical rainforests, said Parsons. "The expansion of these plantations spells a disaster for these biodiverse forest habitats, indigenous peoples' rights, and climate change."

Hawaii is the most petroleum-dependent state for electrical production, with over 90 percent of the state's energy needs coming from imported oil.

Despite abundant potential for solar, wind and wave power, the Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) has spent the past two years supporting proposals to construct two huge biodiesel refineries by Imperium Renewables on Oahu, and by BlueEarth Biodiiesel LLC on Maui. If constructed, their combined production, 220 million gallons yearly, exceeds the potential output that could be produced in Hawai`i, even if all available statewide agricultural lands were utilized solely for biofuel crops. Thus, the companies are looking to ship palm oil from Malaysia or Indonesia, the world's top two producers.

"Switching from imported petroleum to imported palm oil does nothing for Hawaii's energy security", said Lance Holter, Chairman of the Sierra Club-Maui Group. "We have abundant local energy resources we should be utilizing, including solar, wind, ocean thermal, and wave technologies."

"ADM and other agribusinesses are destroying rainforests and poisoning local communities to increase their profit margins," said Andrea Samulon, spokesperson for the Rainforest Action Network. "These irresponsible actions are unacceptable liabilities both for shareholders and for the planet."

"There is no hope in D.O.P.E. (Dependence On imported Palm oil for Electricity)," said Henry Curtis, Executive Director of Life of the Land. "It's time for HECO to stop the spin. Destroying rainforests, displacing indigenous peoples, and making deals with human rights abusers will not protect our environment or help Hawaii's energy security or economy. It will only bring more misery, poverty, and disease to our fragile planet," said Curtis.

Curtis noted that early last month at Public Utilities Commission contested case hearings, it was exposed that Imperium Renewables of Seatlle hasshelved their plans to construct a refinery in Hawaii, and their Washington state facility has not produced any biodiesel since last April. Similarly, BlueEarth Biodiesel plans for a refinery on Maui are looking precarious. On October 6th, BlueEarth filed documents in US District Court in Dallas, Texas, citing breach of contracts with HECO and others.

"It is incumbent upon the people of Hawaii to demand local solutions for renewable energy, which in turn will bolster our local economy," said Parsons. "Working with groups such as RAN helps spread the word far and wide that continuing rainforest destruction for biofuel production should be stopped immediately. The Hawaii coalition of groups is eager to help work for solutions to saving the world¹s remaining rainforests."

"Hawai`i has a chance to show the world how sustainable energy production can be done, and that what's sustainable can also be profitable," said Parsons. "Let's move away from damaging proposals such as the import of palm oil. This is our golden opportunity to influence our leaders and return the
'power to the people'.

For more information, see http://www.maui-tomorrow.org