This research intensive project of the Agroecology program expands further upon the work of Dr. Steiner that includes testing and demonstration sites totaling over 10,000 oil palms on 110 acres of privately held land made available by land-holders for this work. Activities in this project carry several different titles, such as Triple-layered Agriculture, Integrated Biofuel and Food System, and Hawaiian Oil Palm Development.

This project takes agroecology to its penultimate step by designing ecological systems that promote the growth of food and of biofuel in the same growing system. Such a system addresses a growing issue facing civilization: burgeoning population numbers reduce arable land in such a way that we face decisions on whether to grow plants for energy or plants for food. In Hawaii we are introducing Triple-layered agriculture, where trees producing food and bioenergy are grown in a synergistic manner with other trees, leguminous grasses, bees and animals.

The demonstration project uses oil palms for the top layer, with the pressed leftover meal from making biodiesel to be used as a high protein animal feed. Under these are coffee and cacao trees, with low to medium height and requiring the shade provided by the oil palms. A leguminous grass or vine provides nitrogen for this system, and also provides graze for goats, sheep and free ranging chickens. Finally, bee hives in the orchard provide required pollination and additional useable products such as honey and wax.

We envision this type of system being used in a village concept, where jobs are provided in different agro-industries and proceeds are shared.