www.localism.com featured
While watching the news last night I sat with amazement listening to this story. According to The Waikiki Worm Company, the island of Oahu's wastestream is about 34% and they decided they were going to do something about it! This company was established to recycle .....ORGANIC WASTE with.....worms.
The processing of organic waste is called VERICOMPOSTIN. What the worms do is transform garbage into a nutrient-rich, no odor, no pathogen organic soil that is used to improve the health of all types of plants and trees.
I am just beginning to understand how important it is to take the initiative and get more involved with innovative ways to recycle our waste. Though many of you have heard about this ....I just heard this for the first time last night on the news!
So....this is what I gathered:
(Okay, it may not be as simple as that to get started if one knows nothing about this. But I tell you what, this surely got me going in understanding how we can KEEP Hawaii a beautiful paradise with less wastestream)
It's also imperative to maintain a clean and healthy worm bin so make sure to "harvest" and rebed your worm bin every 3-4 months. This is about how long it takes 4 inches of paper and cardboard bedding to be consumed and broken down by the worms. "Harvesting" consists of separating the Vermicast (which has built up as your garbage is being processed). Keep in mind that your worm colony may have increased in volume as well.
Click here for your pdf file on: How to harvest your mini-bin in eight easy steps
TOWN Restaurant is one of the Waikiki Worm Company's biggest customers. Located at 9th & Waialae, the Town Restaurant serves fresh, award-winning cuisine that is "Local First, Organic Whenever Possible, with Aloha Always."
Town Restaurant is also widely known for their support of those who support sustainable methods and was the first commercial location to have a worm recycling kitchen waste facility. Town Restaurant is also known for using recycled paper products, earth friendly cleaning products and the used cooking oil goes to produce biodiesal fuel.
I grew up in Mililani but I went to Leilehua High School in Wahiawa. Up the street from the school is Peterson's Upland Farm which has been selling fresh island eggs and chicken manure for generation. Wel come to find out they convert their chicken manure into rich, marketable vermicast.
Picture courtesy of Waikiki Worm
I know "worms" may not be the most pleasant of topics for some....and before this not for me either. It just brings to mind the work 'ew' although after learning about this from last night and reading more I've taken a different way of thinking.
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Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com 
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A Hawaii Real Estate, Hawaii Relocations, Hawaii VA Home Transaction Specialist. More passionate posts throughout this blog for Hawaii Real Estate and Relocations Info. Listening to YOUR needs first.
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Sally.... worm companies? lol hhhmmm.... but seriously, it all does make sense. Thanks for sharing this. nite...
I just saw a feature about a couple who were living green.. no electricity, washer/dryer.. nada and they had a compost box in the kitchen filled with little worms who ate all the stuff so no smells..pretty interesting..
Jeff: Okay, I have to admit...watching it on the NEWS last night I was sitting there in awe. I kept watching though because not often you see a real story ...just a bunch of smut...car accidents etc. So this actually got me going....enough to write on it.
Kaye: Yeah! I didn't want this whole post to turn into a book but that Peterson farm....they don't have smells from the chickie poop now that they are turning it into some wonderful organic stuff.
Fascinating article, Sally. It's all me to me too, although I certainly know about composting. Thanks for sharing this "good for the environment" information.
JEff
The owner oif the Waikiki Worm Company is a former legislator and a friend of mine. I saw her on TV demonstrating how it worked. What a cool idea for a business.
Wonderful and informative post, Sally. I learned lots of things about recycling with worms that I didn't know. Hurrah for Town Restaurant ! If I ever make it to your island , I will make sure and have dinner there ( I imagine they have some great vegetarian dishes).
I loved the pic of the chicks, adorable.
Jo
Sally,
worms....how interesting. I have never heard of this but really makes sense, good luck setting up your worm bin! :)
Interesting idea..but I'm not really into worms except when I go fishing..they make great bait.:) We have plenty of them here especially during rainy season.
Sally, this is not something I've ever heard of; I love that there is a restaurant that is doing this for the environment. I was just wondering if I could buy the worms? Because I am squeemish when I come across them in the garden...if they're contained, I'm fine :)
Sally, I have never heard of this at all. Makes sense..........your little chicky picture is great.
Sally, What a great post... I saw the news as well and I thought it was a great idea. I guess great minds think alike..All I can say is WOO HOO!!!Sally
Sally - Farmers here have composted for years. I don't know if they use worms though. I'm not usre I could have a worm bin in my kitchen........
Love your pictures! Much better than pictures of worms.
Every creature great and small has a purpose ! Thanks for sharing, who knew!? ( kinda like the slugs/ maggots and medical beneifts..I know hard to consider but true! )
Wow!! That's really interesting!! I bet Stephanie Edwards will love this post!! Not sure if I'll try it but it could make for an interesting science project for one of my boys!
Sally--We had organic farmers on the acreage behind our home...composting is very common in MN. The worm farm is a new concept as in MN we don't need to buy them as there are many in the ground. Are they harder to come by on the islands?
Sally- You are turning GREEN! I love this post. I love your picture of the chicks with the worm! It is so cute. You are good at writing about anything! This is great news to get out there. Simple to do and effective and not expensive! Now, I wonder in some of these gates communities that don't allow you to have pets, compost bins, etc if they have a rule against the worms too! LOL. Thanks for the post and I will be spreading this around! We have a real problem with land fills here because there is no room for any more garbage! Katerina
Holy vermicast! (sorry, couldn't help it...)
This is the first I've heard of this, but it certainly makes a lot of sense!
Every little bit helps - now if more people get involved the impact will be great.
Good job getting the word out.
Sally, this sounds like a great idea. I am always trying to add something to my gardening efforts. I barely have time to weed them. There's always one more thing to know.
I've seen this too. That's what I call a "bio-digester"! (A little green humor there).
Hi, Sally! I'm off to watch Andy get married- but wanted to say goodbye! By the way, you can get these worms (believe it or not) on Ebay- I guess you'd just hit "buy", and "worms", and they'll pop right up. Ick. OH- BEFORE I FORGET TO MENTION IT: I did a blog with a fox on it, but can't find it- it was really, really good. Does that count for the contest? Sarah might have stolen it from me.
Jeff: Thanks Jeff....it is interesting and pretty unique idea.
Stacey: In HAWAII this is the first I've heard...I don't have a huge yard,nor a farm, nor a restaurant...so if I hadn't seen it on the news then I most likely wouldn't have known.
Randy: Yeah, she was a legislator for the Kaneohe area for a year or so...it was on her website...what a cool lady...she's done all kinds of stuff in here life!
Jo-Anne: They have ALL organic veges from their own garden with using none other than....these nutrients.
Suzanne: Yeah...you sound like me....good to know...won't touch lol~!
Neal: We went fishing three years ago....and didn't catch anything....we use other sea stuff for ocean fishing.
Carole: They have the whole kit at that website (click on the link above for more info and stuff on Waikiki Worm Co.)
Missy: How's your daughter? Yeah, me either.
Mathew: I didn't see the national one....just the local one with the local company....thanks!
Paula: They keep them outside! At the restaurant it looks like a covered flowered box. And I almost used a worm picture...couldn't bring myself to do it...haha.
Michele: Heard about the maggots eating up infected stuff....okay, getting icky right about now. All for all about this stuff although slimy stuff cannot touch. (okay, won't touch)
Susie: She loves this stuff.....she writes her stories well and though I am not heavily involved ...yet....I'm learning. I am one of those that NEEDS to know about everything and the passion follows along....
Teri: Apparently, for the amount they need for a large bin for that restaurant...they fill the whole bottom and sell the worms by the pound.
Katerina: If you click on the link for Waikiki Worm Co there is a bunch more info!
Marc: Some have heard of this...but this is just "starting" as a big thing. They also have classes, stuff for kid's etc. Great to really get the word out.
Lizette: That restaurant has their own garden as well...using what else?
Jeff: Yuk...anyway...before I saw this on the news I would have thought yuk...and though I won't touch them myself it reallly is a good idea ...especially for the two above...restaurants and chickie poop are biggies to keep it clean!
Laurie: WooHoo! Have a good time...."see" ya when you get back...yeah, uhhuh....right. Doubt it. Totally different writing.....lol~!
That's a great idea! Worms eat dirt, so why not use what God gave us, the way he actually intended it? Very cool post =)
I haven't used your hula smiley in a while, so here you go. He missed you =0)
Lisa: thanks for the hula smiley....and yes it is a great idea....won't touch em though.
Sally, this is so cool. Why are we just now doing this? Seems so logical, yet I never would have thought about it....unless I was having another wild thought kinda day. Still doubt it. Thanks for mentioning this. I might just have to try it. Bookmarked for later use. :)
Stephanie: I think someone mentioned you would like this.....:)
How funny. I missed that. :)
Sally, what an interesting idea! Thanks for the tip!
Steph: I think it's cute.
David: I thought I was the only one who didn't know about all this!
Sally,
Does'nt sound appetizing but if it works, why not? hmmmm...worms
Chuck: We're not eating the worms...silly...appetizing. I don't think so either...and touching them...I don't think so either...but it's a good thing.
I have heard of this before but you filled in the gaps of my understanding. I think it is a great idea!
Ashley: Not only is it a great idea but the woman who owns the company is outstanding! (I guess that's why they featured her on our local news)
Sally~
Have you added worms to the GREEN RESOURCES DIRECTORY ? or should I say worm companies =)
janeAnne: I looked up shinnini and everyone who commented asking what shinnini was ..was from AR...haha.
Now, you know you have to guide me for stuff like that! If it's a directory I'd have to check if Mindy is already on there (owner)
Dianne: For fishing?
salley, yes mam! I think you get so many for a nickle. He truly is a bit "touched", and people feel sorry for him and buy his worms.
Sally, thanks for writing about this. I think I'll do it. But after you have "fed" all the worms what do you do with them?
Bill Roberts
Bill: Clean em out every three to four months....let them keep eating? Heck, this is the first I've ever seen on this ....
Dianne: I would give him a quarter and tell him to keep the worms :)