A big Mahalo to Donnie Maione of Maione Builders on Kauai for his commitment to using sustainable, locally produced biodiesel! Donnie’s interest in biodiesel was sparked by a trip to Maui in 2005, where he read an article in a local magazine about Pacific Biodiesel and what they were doing. Coincidentally, he was in the market for a new work vehicle at the time, so he began researching with local diesel mechanics as well as on his own to get more information about biodiesel and its benefits. “From everything I learned, I decided switching to biodiesel was the smart move. It seemed to make the most sense both environmentally and economically,” he said. Donnie bought a 2005 Dodge Ram diesel and has been filling up with biodiesel from Pacific Biodiesel ever since.
His motto for himself and his contracting business is to “be as ecologically minded as possible.” Donnie recycles whatever materials he can and he always pushes his clients to incorporate ways to cut down on their energy use by doing things such as utilizing solar power, installing on-demand water heaters, use of compact fluorescent and LED lights, and properly insulating to cut down on air-conditioning and heating.
Pacific Biodiesel selects the customer of the month based on how long the company has continually been using biodiesel and the volume of fuel purchased. Also taken into consideration is the overall philosophy of the company and its practices, as well as their support for renewable energy and commitment to being green.