Aina Koa Pono's Team

 

		MELE Associates, Inc. is a Veteran-owned (VOSB), minority-owned, award winning small business that provides services in program management, information systems, engineering and alternative energy solutions.  MELE Associates will organize the building site prior to construction and supervise the construction contractors performing the installation of the biorefineries for AKP.  They will also oversee the initial operations of the biorefineries and perform the initial test runs of biomass through the system to ensure proper operation.  MELE Associates will act as the design build contractor as well, managing the design engineers and coordinating the TRI technology with the utilities.
		The Hawai`i Agriculture Research Center (HARC) is a private non-profit organization specializing in horticultural crop research.  HARC, formerly known as the Hawai`ian Sugar Planters’ Association was founded in 1895 and originally focused on improving the sugar industry in Hawai`i .  Today, they have widened their focus and have been working to enhance the management and production of a wide variety of crops and increase agriculture production in Hawai`i .  They will assist AKP in crop management by developing yield predictions, analyzing the soil and fertilizer recommendations and identifying the best biological controls and their release. They will also study harvesting techniques to optimize production.
		Founded in 1996, ThermoChem Recovery International, Inc. (TRI) is commercializing the conversion of biomass to energy through thermo-chemical gasification.  TRI’s advanced gasification technology enables them to gasify solid biomass, liquid biomass and co-process feedstocks, making them stand out above other technologies.  Their process produces a very high quality synthesis, also making them stand out. TRI will assist with the biorefinery operations of AKP and provide their patented steam reforming technology.
		Eichleay Engineers, Inc. provides “power and process facility” engineering through a wide range of services in engineering, procurement, project management and client staff augmentation.  Eichleay was founded in 1875 as a structural moving business, and has progressed into a full-service engineering firm over the past 130 years.  Eichleay is highly qualified in designing specialized, technologically complex process facilities throughout the country.  AKP will work with Eichleay to design and build the biorefineries in Hawai'i.