Natural resource conservation company Pono Pacific Land Management announced Tuesday it is growing its sustainable energy sectors.
"With over 20 years working with state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions throughout six Hawaiian Islands, we are confident in expanding our reach into sustainable energy," Pono Pacific President Jonathan Marstaller said in a statement.
Marstaller sees sustainable energy resources as the "key to moving Hawaii toward a more regenerative economy," as noted in the announcement. The organization's energy projects currently include managing field operations for Kauai biomass facility Mahipapa, LLC; identifying crops for locally-grown, renewable plant fuels; and developing sustainable agriculture and renewable energy markets across the Pacific via a new sister company called Pono Island Capital, according to the announcement.
"Helping to develop a comprehensive strategy for scaling up new technologies to produce locally-sourced biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel on a commercial scale is a perfect fit for us since we already have relationships in the ag and forestry industries here," Marstaller said. "As a local company committed to Hawaii, Pono Pacific’s goal is to help our state mitigate climate change by building infrastructure that supports sustainable energy, which will result in a more sustainable economy."
Since it was founded in 2000, Pono Pacific has installed more than 140,000 feet of conservation fencing, replanted native species, and has helped to restore a variety of ecosystems statewide, according to the organization.
Marstaller, who has been president since 2021, was among Pacific Business News' 40 Under 40 honorees last year. On Tuesday, he also shared a bit about how he's been able to achieve success in his career, in the latest installment of PBN's Secrets to Success series.
