Maui Student Benefits from Pacific Biodiesel Sustainability Internship

Intern Kate Cheney, a junior at UH Maui College.

Maui-based Pacific Biodiesel Technologies announced its continued support of the University of Hawaiʻi Maui Sustainable Science Management program with new intern Kate Cheney, a junior at the college.

Company representatives say the partnership between UH Maui College and Pacific Biodiesel furthers sustainability efforts and gives college students experience with a global leader in renewable energy.

“I feel very enthusiastic about Pacific Biodiesel’s community-based biodiesel fuel production,” Cheney commented in a company press release. “I am proud to have this opportunity at Pacific Biodiesel, world leaders in the field of sustainability and renewable energy.”

The SSM program uses critical sustainability thinking skills and applied learning/research to develop expertise of students’ knowledge, skills and leadership for the future. The new UH Maui College program recently received a $30,000 endowment from Maui Electric Company and is anticipating consistent growth in program enrollment.

Program Director Tim Botkin added, “Pacific Biodiesel has been one of the strongest and most consistent supporters of the Sustainable Science Management program since our inception. In particular, internship opportunities with PBT have given our students the chance to work with industry-leading experts striving to incorporate sustainability throughout their business and community practices. This extremely valuable experience inspires thoughtful leadership as our students enter the community workforce.”

Pacific Biodiesel has been providing Hawaiʻi with locally processed renewable fuel since 1996. PBT founders and principals Bob and Kelly King were recently included in the Top 100 People in the Advanced Bioeconomy for 2016 by readers of the international Biofuels Digest.