We must begin to secure Hawai'i's food and energy future today. The Earth's population is expected to exceed 9 billion by 2045 — a 40 percent increase in less than 40 years.

At the same time, the availability of the three key things needed to feed these additional people — land, irrigation water and fossil fuels — is decreasing. The world's two most populous countries, China and India, are becoming economic powerhouses with increasing standards of living.

The global economy has just begun to feel their appetite for more and better quality food, energy, raw materials and consumer goods. The increasing concerns about food quality, nutrition and safety, and the threats of invasive species and bioterrorism, will also increase the cost of the food we import to Hawai'i.

We are also seeing an end to the United States' cheap food and energy policies. The impact for us in Hawai'i is higher prices for food and energy, more than other places because of our remoteness and small market — and exorbitantly more if we are not careful.

Hawai'i's two most important resources are its people and natural splendor. Together they shape our quality of life and define the paradise that we call home and that visitors come here to experience.

Hawaiian agriculture provides our unique tropical foods and cuisines, as well as green, open space for residents and visitors to enjoy. Agricultural fields also allow water to percolate through the soil to replenish our groundwater aquifers.

Many people do not realize that when the sugar plantations were in operation on O'ahu, their irrigation systems were instrumental in recharging the Pearl Harbor Aquifer, from which most of Honolulu gets its water. Without this source of recharge water, it is estimated that within the next 10 years, Honolulu will be withdrawing more water than the rate of groundwater recharge can replace.

In the past 25 years, about 170,000 acres of sugar and pineapple lands have been taken out of production. Del Monte's closing will add to this total. It is clear that we must find other agricultural enterprises to occupy the lands formerly used for sugar and pineapple. Taking the land out of agriculture is not a wise, sustainable decision.

Agriculture is not only important for food production, green, open space and groundwater recharge. It can also create fuels for energy. Hawai'i has been generating energy from biomass for many years, primarily in the sugar industry. With the cost of fuel now rising, we are looking for other types of fuels from biomass.

One of Hawai'i's foremost experts on bioenergy conversion processes is Dr. Charles Kinoshita, associate dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai'i. In 2004, he was contracted by the Hawaiian Electric Co. to prepare an assessment of biofuels for electric power generation. His report indicates that biodiesel and ethanol from sugar are the two most promising biofuel candidates for Hawai'i.

I am very excited about opportunities for Hawai'i to grow energy crops on agricultural lands that are currently not being used for agriculture. However, this excitement is tempered with the realization that these are only the first steps of a journey that may lead to energy independence. Much research and development are needed to find the right crops and crop traits to optimize fuel production.

Likewise, new technologies are required to convert more of the plant material to high-value fuels. In anticipation of these needs, we have organized a Pacific-based coalition for bioenergy and bioproducts development to compete for funds from a Sun Grant initiative recently funded by Congress.

While the initial funding is modest, about $10 million per year for the entire United States, it is a start.

The University of Hawai'i has also submitted to our congressional delegation a high-priority proposal titled "Development of High Yield Feedstock and Biomass Conversion Technology for Renewable Energy Production and Economic Development."

The University of Hawai'i, private business and state agencies must work together to ensure the food and energy security for Hawai'i.

Andrew G. Hashimoto is dean and director, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai'i. This article is based on a recent speech.