Protecting and Preserving Maui Nui’s Environment & Important Cultural Sites for Over 40 Years

Biodiesel & Ethanol Net Energy

Read Rob Parsons Article to which DuByne is responding Read Rob Parsons Response to the DuByne letter   Letter to Maui Time by David DuByne April 5, 2007 (Headings and empahasis added by webmaster) Oilwell Production is Down To follow up on the article “Potential Energy” by Rob Parsons in your Feb. 15, 2007 edition, we first need to understand why the switch to ethanol is happening. It’s called oil depletion or peak oil. Inside … Read more

Palm Oil

From Environmental Management for Palm Oil Mill by A. H-Kittikun et al. One ton of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) composed of 230-250 kg of empty fruit bunch (EFB), 130-150 kg of fiber, 60-65 kg of shell and 55-60 kg of kernel and 160-200 kg of crude oil. Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is the mixture of high polluted effluent (from sterilizer and oil room) and low polluted effluent (steam condensate, cooling water, boiler discharge and sanitary … Read more

jatropha

From www.scienceinafrica.co.za which is conducting water usage studies on Jatropha in Africa. The Jatropha curcas tree, originates from Mexico. It’s oil-producing seeds (30%-35% oil) and entire plant are inedible (toxic) to humans, and most animals and birds. It produces for 50 years. A small tree or shrub with a maximum height of 5 m, Jatropha curcas reportedly grows readily in areas of low rainfall (from 250 mm a year) and in poor soils, however, yield … Read more

Biofuel Roadmap Barriers

by Alice Friedemann Released April 10, 2007 “The nation that destroys its soil destroys itself.” – President Franklin D. Roosevelt Peak Soil: Why Cellulosic ethanol and other Biofuels are Not Sustainable and are a Threat to America’s National Security  Part 1. The Dirt on Dirt.  Part 2. The Poop on Ethanol: Energy Returned on Energy Invested (EROEI)  Part 3. Biofuel is a Grim Reaper.  Part 4. Biodiesel: Can we eat enough … Read more

Nat’l Biodiesel Board’s Life Cycle Paper

In May of 1998, the US Department of Energy (DOE) and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the results of the Biodiesel Lifecycle Inventory Study. It compared findings for a comprehensive “cradle to grave” inventory of materials used; energy resources consumed; and air, water and solid waste emissions generated by petroleum diesel fuels and biodiesel in order to compare the total “lifecycle” costs and benefits of each of the fuels. This 3.5-year study followed US … Read more

Maui Group Salutes Environmental Heroes At Silver Anniversary Awards Ceremony

The Maui Sierra Club Executive Committee extends a hearty “mahalo” to all those volunteers, community members and local businesses who made our 25th Anniversary Silver Moon Gala a resounding success. See complete list below. Maui Group Salutes Environmental Heroes At Silver Anniversary Awards Ceremony The Maui Group’s quarter century of accomplishments have been made possible through the dedicated efforts of numerous Group members and allies. During its November 3, 2006 Silver Anniversary Gala, the Group  presented … Read more

South Maui – East Maui Water?

Maui Group Chair, Daniel Grantham, testified at a recent public meeting on the East Maui Water Development Plan. The County’s Plan proposes 8 wells along the Kauhikoa Ditch in Ha`iku and a 36″ pipeline to transport 10-15 mgd of water to Central and South Maui. Maui Group members attended and expressed their concerns: declining rainfall aver-ages in East Maui, lack of solid data on minimum stream flows, effects of well pumping on streams, exploitation of … Read more