Pacific Biodiesel founders obtain license to grow industrial hemp

In celebration of Earth Day, and in a continued effort to support sustainable, community-based agriculture and renewable energy, Pacific Biodiesel Technologies and its founders Bob and Kelly King announced April 22 the development of Maui’s first state-licensed industrial hemp farm, operating under the Kings’ personal entity, Imua Energy LLC.

The commercial farming operation will initially produce full-spectrum industrial hemp extract, including CBD. The hemp extract will be manufactured by Imua Energy and distributed by Maiden Hawaii Naturals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pacific Biodiesel and marketed to cosmetic manufacturers. Maiden Hawaii will also incorporate Imua Energy’s premium hemp extract as a featured ingredient in its natural skincare brand, Kuleana by Maiden Hawaii Naturals.

“We are so honored to have been granted the first industrial hemp commercial farming license on Maui,” said Bob King, president and founder of Pacific Biodiesel. “The cultivation of industrial hemp offers a wealth of opportunity for our island, from health and wellness and culinary usage to textile and biofuel production. With this expanded farming operation, we are inspired to continue uncovering new ways to further our commitment to agricultural diversity and renewable energy in Hawaii.”

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture granted the license to Imua Energy for the purposes of research on the growth, cultivation and marketing of industrial hemp. The 10-acre site located within its 115-acre Biofuel Crop Farm in central Maui will be the first industrial hemp farm in the U.S. powered 100 percent by biodiesel. The sustainable farming operation is free of pesticides, herbicides and GMO crops.

This Maui-grown hemp extract will contain the full spectrum of industrial hemp-derived cannabinoids, including CBD. Imua Energy has purchased a supercritical CO2 extractor to allow for production of pure, clean, quality extract with no further heating or distillation required. Premium hemp extract will be blended (per FDA requirements not to exceed 0.3 percent THC) with Pacific Biodiesel’s locally grown Hawaiian Macadamia and Maui Sunflower oils and will be incorporated this fall into the Kuleana Beauty products.