HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0127.006 2014-2016 i
Good afternoon. My name is Ann Hassler and for the last 12 years, my daughter, Piper Selden, and I
have been teaching the ins and outs of composting to residents of the island of Hawaii. In 2003, Piper
and I attended a 6 week class offered by Clark County Agricultural Extension and Washington State
University. We had outstanding professors from academia, personnel from Waste Management
Corporation, and business professionals from the Portland, OR metro area who were involved in green
waste reduction as well as recycling efforts for businesses and residential clients. In order to graduate
from the class and receive the designation of Master Composter/Recycler, not only were we required to
pass a final exam, but during the first year we gave back 40 hours in community education outreach.
Then we had to continue by giving back 20 hours per year every year thereafter. We have been doing so
here on the Big Island. Piper wrote the tri-fold information piece you have before you and I have
written the additional pieces. All of this information is distributed to those who attend the workshops
that we have held across the island. Last year, I gave a total of 4 workshops on two weekends each
month, as well as presentations for organizations like: the Hilo Community Library, Connections Charter
Public School, Kea'au Elementary Scho Tutu and Me Pre-school, and Black Sands Community
Association.
Whether my audience has 5 people or 50, 1 believe that the impact of small group learning has been
very effective by reducing the amount of green waste in our landfills while building up the soil of our
island. Attendees have been given multiple options for recycling and composting so that the impact is
effective whether people live in a condo, apartment,or live in a home with a yard. I have taught school
children how to maintain a worm bin and what is the best use of worm castings. Children are inherently
inquisitive and the most likely to continue behaviors they are taught while young-as long as those
behaviors are reinforced. I was greatly disturbed when, after waiting for funding for 8 months last year,
a brusque letter from the County Department of Environmental Management, belatedly announced that
there would be no county support of the composting education program for Recycle Hawaii. I believe
this to be extremely short sighted. Contact with our citizens by teaching in small groups is an cost-
effective use of county funds that produces a direct impact on waste management on the island. I would
also like to suggest that the county consider composting green waste, rather than just collecting it for
mulch. In the process, only the final step is omitted on the Big Island. Real composted material could be
bagged and sold to citizens- producing a small profit center to offset operating costs of the landfill. The
business could also be submitted to private companies for bid and additional income for the county.
Recycle Hawaii has the statistics on ho much has been diverted from our increasingly shrinking landfill
sites, but I know that the program has been effective. Not only do we saving taxpayer money by
processing green waste at our own residences, but we also become good stewards of the aina by
improving the soil with composted amendments. If we ever want to become self-sufficient,we must do
all we can to improve our soil to grow our own food.
Thank you,
Ann Hassler, Environmental Educator for Recycle Hawaii
Master Composter/Recycler
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Ref. note M40 24, 2415