Honolulu: Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines on Wednesday announced a partnership with Par Hawaii to help develop sustainable aviation fuel in Hawaiʻi, using crops grown locally to cut carbon emissions from air travel, reports PR Newswire.
The project aims to support cleaner flying while creating jobs and building a new fuel supply system in the state. It is also expected to open up new income opportunities for local farmers and strengthen Hawaiʻi’s energy sector.
Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines, which together operate the largest number of flights to, from and within Hawaiʻi, have joined hands with Par Hawaii, the islands’ biggest energy producer. They are also working with Pono Pacific through its subsidiary, Pono Energy, Inc., to study the use of camelina, a crop that can be grown alongside food crops and used to make aviation fuel.
Under the plan, the two airlines will become Par Hawaii’s first customers for sustainable aviation fuel made in Hawaiʻi. The first delivery is expected in the first quarter of 2026.
Sustainable aviation fuel is made from renewable sources such as plant oils or used cooking oil and can reduce overall carbon emissions by up to 80 percent compared to regular jet fuel. Trials carried out by Pono Pacific attracted interest from Alaska Star Ventures, the investment arm of Alaska Air Group, which supports new ideas to improve aviation efficiency and performance.
Alanna James, sustainability innovation director at Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines, said the airlines see reducing environmental impact as part of their responsibility to the state. She said sustainable aviation fuel plays a key role in the airlines’ long-term plan to reach net-zero emissions, and added that working with Par Hawaii and Pono Pacific helps move Hawaiʻi toward cleaner operations and greater energy independence.
Ed Sniffen, director of the Hawaiʻi State Department of Transportation, said the effort supports the state’s goals of cutting emissions and improving energy security. He said the partnership marks an important step toward building a local aviation fuel supply that produces fewer emissions and supports Hawaiʻi’s clean energy targets.
Pono Pacific, the state’s largest private resource company, plans to launch Pono Energy, Inc. in early 2026 to speed up work on camelina. The crop grows quickly, resists pests and can be planted between food crops, reaching maturity in about two months. Its seeds can be used to make renewable fuels, while the leftover material can be processed into approved feed for cattle and poultry. The company says this approach can create jobs, support farmers and reduce emissions from aviation.
Chris Bennett, vice president of sustainable energy solutions at Pono Pacific, said camelina offers Hawaiʻi a chance to build a local system where nothing goes to waste. He said growing the crop in the state keeps money within the local economy, reduces reliance on imported fuels and supports both farmers and livestock producers. He added that the company will also look at growing food crops alongside camelina to improve food security.
Alaska Star Ventures has made a new investment that builds on earlier support from Par Hawaii. Pono Pacific began working with the Hawaiʻi Agriculture Research Center in 2023 to grow 50 non-GMO camelina varieties and identify those best suited to the state’s climate.
That early funding helped Pono Pacific run crop trials on four islands in partnership with Aloun Farms, Mahi Pono and Meadow Gold Dairy. The company also identified suitable farmland and worked with the cattle and livestock sector to study the use of camelina by-products as animal feed.
While Pono Pacific develops the farming side of the project, Par Hawaii is preparing to supply sustainable aviation fuel by early 2026. This follows the formation of Hawaiʻi Renewables by Par Pacific, Par Hawaii’s parent company, and a partnership with Alohi Renewable Energy after a $100 million investment to upgrade a refinery unit to process plant-based and waste oils.
Par Hawaii President Eric Wright said the progress made since first studying locally produced aviation fuel with Hawaiian Airlines in 2022 has exceeded expectations. He said renewable fuel production is now close to becoming a reality and credited teamwork and a shared vision for the islands for the rapid progress.
James said the airlines are proud to be the first customers for locally produced sustainable aviation fuel but noted that challenges remain. She said the fuel costs much more than regular jet fuel and supplies are still limited. She added that continued cooperation among airlines, fuel producers, investors, government and supportive policies will be needed to expand the industry and meet emission reduction goals.
