Kainalu Composting Operation Shut Down

Aloha Compost Club Members and Zero Waste Ohana,

I bet you were wondering why you heard nothing about our planned late February Compost Club gathering.

I am extremely sad to inform you that all composting operations at Kainalu Elementary School have been shut down by the DOE indefinitely due to a neighbor complaint.  We were notified on February 2nd.  They told us that the cease and desist order included the cancellation of our scheduled Compost Sale on February 11th, but we were able to negotiate to go forward with the Sale.

Good thing, because we netted $10,295 for our participating schools!  A record 601 buckets of premium compost, 44 containers of vermicast, and 21 Compost Tea Kits were sold and spread as far away as Waianae to increase soil fertility, intensify moisture retention, mitigate soil erosion, stimulate biodiversity, sequester carbon, and promote robust plant growth.

The Compost Sale was the last good thing that happened.  

For the first time since 2017 – much to our dismay and horror – Kainalu students are throwing their daily 300 pounds food and milk waste into rubbish bags to go to the dumpster.  Flies are swarming in the kitchen and cafeteria.

Tragically, we have been forbidden to enter the compost area to maintain our piles, so 34 piles, representing a lot of hard work and $15,000 in revenue for Kainalu, have all dried out and gone to dust.   

Regrettably, student involvement and educational programs are all pau.

Worst of all, Compost Club, our very favorite community engagement activity, is history.  We miss you!

While this horrific situation is being resolved – and we hope and pray it will be – we want to offer Compost Club members the opportunity to purchase compost from the other schools.  The 6th graders at Enchanted Lake Elementary harvested a couple of beautiful piles last week.  If you need compost, please contact <mindy@waikikiworm.net> and we’ll arrange a pick-up for you.

Mahalo,

Mindy and the staff of
Windward Zero Waste School Hui