OUR PURPOSE
SUMA Farms LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BANA PACIFIC LLC, founded in 2016, was established to develop production plantations and facilitate a network of Bana Grass farmers with two objectives:
1) Develop an agricultural energy feedstock industry utilizing available lands and local farmers;
2) Develop a market for this feedstock, on an "as available" basis or on a "fixed-term agreement".
WHAT IS BANA GRASS?
Bana Grass, also known as Elephant Grass, Napier Grass, or Cane Grass, originates from Africa and is primarily used as a cut and carry fodder for animals. Bana Grass has been a resident of Hawaii since the mid-70s and used mostly as a windbreak. CTAHR, HARC, and the Hawaii National Energy Institute have studied this grass and recommend its use as a sustainable Biomass feedstock for renewable energy production.
NATURAL HYBRID &
HIGH YIELDING
PEST RESISTANT & DROUGHT TOLERANT
LOW MAINTENANCE
SUSTAINABLE
WHY BANA GRASS
Because here in Hawaii, we depend on the energy industry to fuel our economy. Sectors like hospitality, transportation, healthcare, communication, utilities, our military, and many more. As our energy demands continue to grow we become even more dependent on importing energy that's dirty and expensive. Energy is a crucial part of our daily lives! And let’s face it. We run on energy! We can’t work or play without energy!
For isolated islands, like Hawaii, it’s a challenge to find an alternative energy source that’s reliable and affordable at the same time.
At SUMA FARMS, we researched! And what we discovered was a biomass energy resource, from locally grown Bana Grass. As an alternative energy source, we choose to use this energy crop because it doesn’t affect public health or the environment and it has no scarcity.
It’s a natural hybrid biomass crop that’s been resident to Hawaii since the mid-’70s.
Growers only need to plant Bana Grass once every 7-12 years and it can even be planted on idle or fallow lands and remote areas, without affecting Hawaii’s food production.
With minimum yields of 150 wet tons per acre in a year, growers can harvest Bana Grass 4-6 times a year, and it thrives well in Hawaii soil and weather. It’s immune to pest-attacks, droughts, and even tropical hurricanes. It is non-invasive, requires less fertilizer, and is perennial.
Bana Grass itself is also a significant carbon bank. Bana Grass can be used to fuel biogas production facilities, power plants, and industrial boiler plants. With Banagrass we can replace fossil fuels and lessen our carbon footprint by 85%. Banagrass is an excellent source of sustainable renewable energy and creates additional job opportunities for our people in Hawaii.
