Financially strapped Hoku Scientific Inc. has received an additional $34 million from two of its customers.

The Honolulu-based alternative energy company said yesterday it will be able to pay past-due vendor balances and liens and continue construction at its $390 million polysilicon plant in Pocatello, Idaho.

Hoku said it has finally received the remaining $30 million of $50 million in debt financing it was expecting from its customer and majority investor, Tianwei Energy Holdings Co. of China.

Hoku said it also received a $4 million prepayment from another of its customers, Solarfun Power Hong Kong Ltd.

The $30 million from Tianwei was due no later than Feb. 22 but had been delayed two weeks due to the Chinese government's process for approving a foreign currency transaction. As a result, Hoku's reactor demonstration for its plant was moved back to April from this month.

Last September, Hoku reached a deal with Tianwei that gave the Chinese company 60 percent ownership of Hoku. Tianwei also agreed to provide Hoku with $50 million in debt financing. Hoku received $20 million from Tianwei in January.

“;We are pleased that with the receipt of recent cash payments, we are able to focus on completing our reactor demonstration in the weeks ahead,”; said Dustin Shindo, the outgoing chairman and chief executive officer of Hoku Scientific. “;This is a big step in the right direction as we plan to commence shipments from our plant later this year.”;

Shindo, 36, who co-founded Hoku nine years ago, announced last month he was stepping down at the end of March to spend more time with his family.

Hoku's stock slipped 4 cents to $2.30 yesterday on the Nasdaq.