Today’s Solutions: February 05, 2026

Singer-songwriter Jack Johnson respects the mission of Bob and Kelly King to promote the use of biodiesel in Hawaii and around the Pacific.

Jack Johnson | Jan/Feb 2009 issue

Bob and Kelly King started Pacific Biodiesel in Hawaii 10 years ago, before anyone knew what biofuels were or why they were important. In 1995, while he was working at the Central Maui Landfill, Bob King saw the opportunity to convert restaurant waste into biodiesel that could fuel the landfill’s generators. This revolutionary idea of converting waste to fuel led to the creation of Pacific Biodiesel plants on Maui, Oahu and in several more U.S. states.
The Kings support the local economy and environment by creating community-based solutions for managing waste and turning it into fuel. They’re developing a fuel that doesn’t rely on foreign oil, rainforests or our food supply.
As the demand for biodiesel began to outpace the supply of used cooking oil, the Kings started the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance to focus on the environmental, social and economic-sustainability issues facing biodiesel.
The car my family and I drive is powered by sustainable and locally produced biodiesel. The only problem is it smells like French fries rather than diesel fuel, so I get hungry whenever I drive.

Bob and Kelly King were nominated as one of Ode’s top 25 Intelligent Optimists by Jack Johnson.
Jack Johnson, singer-songwriter and activist

Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

The Ocean Cleanup removed a record 25 million kilos of plastic in 2025 (and t...

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a world where the scale of plastic pollution can feel overwhelming, 2025 brought a milestone worth celebrating: ...

Read More

Ancient nits aid uncovering of human ancestry

To uncover information about ancient genomes scientists have previously relied on fossils of bones and teeth. Alongside ethical issues, the problem with this is ...

Read More

Always late? Here’s 7 tips to curb the habit

We’ve all run late before, whether it was because of a missed alarm, couldn't find the right outfit, or getting stuck in traffic. It ...

Read More

How Uruguay achieved 98% renewable energy 

During the 2000s, as global fossil fuel costs skyrocketed, Uruguay faced a tremendous issue. Uruguay, as a country heavily reliant on foreign oil, found ...

Read More