URGENT UPDATE: A student-led initiative in Ka‘u has successfully diverted over 20,000 pounds of waste from local landfills since launching their zero-waste program in 2024. The group, known as Malama ‘Aina Compostables, is on a mission to educate the community about the critical waste crisis facing Hawaii.
As the pressure mounts with only 15 years left before the West Hawaii landfill reaches capacity, Waileia Kainoa, a senior at Ka‘u High School, emphasizes the urgency: “A lot of people here do not realize how much waste is going into the landfill.” With potential costs of $500 million for a new landfill, the stakes are high for local residents.
The group has been instrumental in promoting sustainable practices through composting, recycling, and trash separation. They have educated students at Na‘alehu Elementary School and organized community events to collect cardboard and food waste, demonstrating hands-on methods to reduce landfill contributions. During the recent 2025 Volcano Renaissance Faire, the group diverted a staggering 90% of the waste generated by 2,500 attendees, significantly minimizing environmental impact.
According to Justin Canelas, Operations Director of Malama ‘Aina Compostables, “They diverted almost 490 pounds of waste over a weekend, with only 18 pounds ending up in the landfill.” This remarkable achievement highlights the potential for community-led efforts to make a significant difference.
The group has also received recognition at national levels, presenting their work at the National Recycling Congress in November 2024, where they secured a $1.5 million grant from the New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling. This funding is pivotal for their ongoing projects, each focused on specific environmental themes. The current theme for the 2024-25 school year is Composting, which has already helped keep approximately 10 tons of food waste from the landfill.
Looking ahead, the group will tackle Plastic Pollution and Marine Debris as their theme for the 2025-26 school year. Their initiatives also include a focus on changing Hawaii’s waste regulations, which Canelas argues hinder sustainability efforts by categorizing food waste as a biohazard rather than a valuable resource.
The newly installed composting unit, named Ho‘ouli, cost $35,000 and is designed to last for 20 years. Each school day, about 100 pounds of food waste from Pahala Elementary is processed, converting waste into nutrient-rich soil. This soil not only supports local agriculture but also aims to generate income for the school as part of their theme, “Waste to Wealth.”
As the momentum builds, students from both Hawaii and Louisiana recently collaborated at the Hawaii Zero Waste Youth Convergence, where they discussed the detrimental impacts of plastic production in their respective communities. Alesha “Ulu” Makuakane, the group’s program director, stated, “That’s how movements are born,” highlighting the importance of cross-community dialogue in addressing environmental issues.
For those looking to join the fight against waste and support local sustainability efforts, Malama ‘Aina Compostables regularly updates their community through social media. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook for upcoming events and initiatives.
As the students of Ka‘u continue their vital work, their message is clear: It’s not too late to make a difference, but the time to act is NOW. To learn more about their efforts or get involved, contact them via email at Kyveli Diener at [email protected].
