The growth of sugarcane and the subsequent production of sugar products are dependent on three major elements: land, water and power. Because of our commitment to maintaining our island environment and being a caring and concerned steward of our 'aina, Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company has become a leader in protecting the quality of life on Maui.

LAND
Cultivation of plantation lands is carried out only during favorable weather and wind conditions. A series of 16 company-owned automated weather stations provide up-to-date information in planning and carrying out controlled field burning and plowing. Plant pests are controlled with biological methods called "bugs eating bugs" and many diseases that threaten sugarcane production have been reduced or eliminated over time through the development of resistant varieties. Weeds are controlled by applying government-approved herbicides.

WATER
Drip irrigation methods are critical to conserving precious island water resources through efficiencies of use and the careful monitoring of amounts needed. HC&S has two surface water collection systems, one on the East side of the island managed and operated by East Maui Irrigation Company (EMI) and the other on West Maui which is co owned and operated by HC&S and Wailuku Water Company. In addition to operating the water system on the East side of the island, EMI manages two other surface water collection systems for the County of Maui's Department of Water Supply who in turn treats and supplies the water to Upcountry farmers and residents.
In addition (As a conservation measure in a effort to reuse all production streams), a great deal of the water necessary for Puunene Mill washing and processing operations is cleaned and recycled for use in crop irrigation and other activities to further reduce the draw of local water supplies.

POWER
HC&S generates its own electric power for sugarcane processing and mill operations in two steam plants and three hydroelectric plants, principally using renewable crop sources. The primary fuel used in the steam plants is bagasse, the fibrous residue left over after all juice has been extracted from sugarcane during the milling process. Approximately 500,000 tons of bagasse is converted to power each year, a renewable source of energy equal to 500,000 barrels of oil. The electricity produced at the Puunene Mill meets all the plantation's power requirements with a significant amount left over. HC&S sells all excess electricity to Maui Electric Company, meeting about 7-8 percent of the power needs for all of Maui's homes and businesses.