Hawai`i Pure Plant Oil, LLC. (HIPPO) was formed in 2008 by father and son
partners, Christian and James
Twigg-Smith,
sixth and seventh generation kama`aina (Hawaiian-born). Christian runs a successful 100-acre coffee farm, Kona Blue Sky Coffee; and a civil construction company,
CTS Earthmoving.
After earning a BA in Accounting from University of Colorado, Boulder, James (pictured at right) returned home with an agricultural background, business
acumen, and a vision for a sustainable plant-based biodiesel industry. They created a limited liability company to pursue this dream.
After 
experiments at several elevations, they found the perfect growing conditions for Jatropha on former sugar
and papaya land in Kea`au, on the east-side of Hawai`i Island. They leased 1,000 acres and have planted 250-acres beginning in May, 2008 (pictured at left). Under their stewardship, these trees are already being harvested and the seeds replanted. HIPPO is seeking funding for harvesting and processing equipment to expand the operation and to help wean the state's farming operations from dependence on foreign oil.
Jatropha Background
Jatropha Curcas is a small tree indigenous to Latin and South America. It was conventionally used around the world as a natural hedge or fence-row to protect crops and water sources from animals repelled by its poisonous seeds. The trees grown quickly from cuttings and produce harvestable seed in the first year of growth, with up to three fruiting 
cycles occurring within a year. While poisonous, the seeds contain from 43 to 59 percent oil. This oil can be blended with lye and methanol to produce biodiesel.
Jatropha is touted as one of the most promising feedstocks in the production of biodiesel as a substitute for diesel fuel. It is from 10 to 50 times more productive than corn per acre, and unlike corn does not compete with food or feed production. With its cost structure lower than mineral petroleum, the biodiesel market is only limited by how many acres can be devoted to its cultivation.
Agronomists agree that the propagation, or processing of Jatropha oil in Hawai`i should be considered as part of the solution for the transition away from petroleum-based fuel supplies. They also concur that land formerly used for Hawai`i's traditional crops are great for Jatropha; this land's soil is highly productive and thereby increases yields and lowers fertilization costs.
Jatropha based biodiesel is:
- Better than diesel - At the same power output, Jatropha oil consumption and efficiencies are higher than diesel fuel.
- Superior to other vegetable oil based biodiesel - Tests show that Jatropha crude oil rather than other vegetable oils; such as, copra, palm, groundnut, cottonseed, rapeseed, soy and sunflower; has the lowest exhaust gas emissions.
Jatropha has:
- Low-emission properties. It is a clean, low-emission fuel.
- Lower production cost - Jatropha's chemical make-up is close to diesel and so has a lower production cost than other oils, resulting in a lower than current market price for biodiesel.
Christian Twigg-Smith |
James Twigg-Smith |
|---|---|
808-960-7088 |
808-960-1826 |