Students from Mr. See’s science class worked at the Kapiko today making compost. Science lessons were also heavily rolled in as Kumu Nio described the processes that occur when microbes interact. Students added charcoal to the compost pile from last Thanksgiving’s imu to fold in potassium and other nutrients. Water was sprayed to add moisture and help keep the pile cool. Egg shells were mixed in for calcium to create a nutricious mixture for plants to thrive. Compost piles at the Kapiko have been recorded with temperatures up to 160 degrees Farenheit all caused from the microbial chemical reactions. As you can see composting can be a delicate process because on a larger scale there's the potential for compost to actually explode.

Kumu Nio described the current mission of the Kapiko is essentially to create soil. The grounds were previously compacted to prepare for building a chapel so the majority of the dirt that’s in place now isn’t suitable for growing and sustaining crops. This is why there’s a lot of compost being turned and worked into the grounds. As the Kapiko is being transformed students have the opportunity to learn about modern and ancient Hawaiian agriculture processes with hands on experience while applying lessons like plant identification and more learned in Mr. See's science class. 

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Kaipuolono Article, Maui Newsroom, Maui Middle School, Maui campus

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