Hawaiian entrepreneur wants to grow 31 square miles of hibiscus for biofuels

In Hawaii, Lamplighter Energy is looking at buying the famous 85-square-mile Molokai Ranch in order to, in part, grow 31 square miles of hibiscus for biofuel production. The move is controversial because the local community wants the ranch to be used by small farmers to produce food as has been done for generations. The company’s plan would include 8 square miles of land available for farming. A leading local activist has asked the company to give the community six months to come up with options that would allow it to support the biofuel proposal.