House panel advances resolutions urging accelerated use of sustainable aviation fuels

The House Committee on Transportation voted to advance HR63 HD1 and HCR70 HD1 on April 1, urging the Hawaii Department of Transportation to facilitate and accelerate adoption of sustainable aviation fuels as part of the state’s effort to reduce transportation-sector emissions.

Supporters said the resolutions align industry and state goals and urged early action. Mark Inouye of Par Hawaii said the measures “reinforce the state's commitment to clean energy goals for 2045” and noted Par Hawaii’s investment of more than $90,000,000 to prepare infrastructure for renewable fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel. Henry Curtis, executive director of Life of the Land, said addressing aviation emissions is necessary for Hawaii to reach net-zero by 2045 because aviation accounts for a larger share of the state’s emissions than in most places.

Opponents cautioned that calling certain feedstocks “sustainable” is misleading and raised legal and environmental concerns. Melody Adoha of the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii testified the resolution would require the Department of Transportation to “violate the legal settlement between, what we call it, Nabahine f versus the Hawaii Department of Transportation.” She said that settlement “requires that the state establish a greenhouse gas reduction plan that reaches 0 greenhouse gas emissions by 2045” and argued that biofuels and waste-based fuels are not carbon-free. Adoha also warned that fuels derived from imported large‑scale monocrops or from processed toxic waste could create biosecurity and pollution risks.

Other speakers described a range of approaches and uncertainties. Nahialani Parsons, executive director of the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, and representatives of airlines and fuel producers said the committee should continue discussions with the Department of Transportation and other stakeholders. Mark Inouye said Par Hawaii is collaborating with the renewable fuels coalition and the state energy office “to help advance cleaner transportation and utility fuels as well.”

Representative Moroeka registered a “no” vote on the resolutions’ recommendation because of concern with the word “accelerate,” saying in part that fuel storage and Hawaii’s climate increase risks of damage if fuels are not handled correctly. Chair Keelah and Vice Chair Grandinetti voted to advance the measures; Representatives Ebsland, Kitagawa, Chica and Miyake voted aye; Representative Moroeka voted no; Representative Pierrick was recorded absent; Representative Cochran was excused. The committee’s recommendation to move HR63 HD1 and HCR70 HD1 out as is was adopted.

The resolutions are nonbinding expressions urging state action; they do not, by themselves, create regulations or funding. Testimony at the hearing included technical claims attributed to speakers — for example, a witness referenced prior testimony by the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute about higher contaminant levels in certain waste-derived feedstocks — and those claims remain a matter for further review and technical analysis.

Committee members did not amend the measures at the hearing. The committee record shows supporters urging further study and industry partnership, while opponents asked for stricter qualification of what counts as “sustainable” and for time to evaluate legal and environmental risks. The Department of Transportation was listed as standing on its testimony and will be a party to ongoing discussions as the proposals move through the legislative process.