Sustainable Food

Sources Using
Aquaponics

Presented by
Joseph Decker CMPC
January 11, 2013

Two types of composting techniques are

used
to support the Aquaponics farming
system.
The first is a standard composting
system.

Shredded paper collected campus wide

and other basic compostable matter
collected from the kitchens is placed in
this large bin.

A larger auger is attached to the cover of

this bin. The cover can be rotated around
the bin to aerate the mixture

In an 8 week semester, 10,000 lbs. of

organic
matter and paper is turned into 2,000 of
useable compost in the Hawaiian climate.

The second type of composting system

used is called a Vermicompost System

Bedding materials and food wastes, along

with some shredded paper are placed in
these specialized bins along with the
worms

The worms begin to digest and break

down the edible food waste

To retrieve the useable castings,

periodically new bedding materials and
food matter are placed on one side of the
bin, and the worms migrate to the new
food source

These castings are then retrieved and

mixed with other composted materials
and potting materials

These composted materials are used in

creating the seedlings in the Aquaponics
as well as rich soil components in the
garden systems

The Aquaponics system uses tilapia

castings as the source for the nutrient
rich water produced for the hydroponic
plants

The ammonia rich water with the castings

is pumped up to bins filled with lava rock
and onion plants

Gravity is an important element in this

system

The water is diverted into 3 separate bins

using a simple setup with PVC pipe and
rotating them to control flow at the
discharge point.

The lava rock acts as a purifier and in

conjunction with the plants creates the
nitrogen and phosphorus in the water

Through gravity, the water in the upper

bins now flows through PVC pipe into the
hydroponic bins on the other side of the
fish tank

The plants grow here, with the roots

structure bathed in the nutrient rich
waters. The lettuces are mature and
ready to eat in 15 days!

The plants basically purify the water

through this process, and the water is
then pumped back into the tank with the
tilapia.

The liliquoi vines shade the fish tank and

produce beautiful

Passion fruit from the blossoms. These

blossoms only open once a day at a
particular time. Pollination is done by
hand

The gardening system uses cuttings as

well from around the college.

This whole sustainable system is

maintained by the students as part of
their curriculum.

Kapiolani Community College is the only

ACF certified 100% green sustainable
accredited culinary program in the US

Students we met during my stay and

helped out with the dinner

I judged their state student cook off and

certifications with Chefs Stafford DeCambra CEC
and Russell Scott CMC. Instructors at Kapiolani
Community College