Major Honolulu Home Builder Integrates Aquaponics

[Barbara McLain]

Was thrilled today as I read this story in our
 Honolulu Star Advertiser newspaper about D.R. Horton-Schuler, a large housing developer, who is now adding aquaponic ponds for edible fruits and vegetables into the landscape design for their numerous housing projects.   Wow.  If all the builders around the world would do the same, we could make major progress towards increased awareness of ---food security--- the benefits of aquaculture & aquaponics---and the health benefits of "eating local".  The most local food you can get is the food you grow yourself, right?

 


From the
 Honolulu Star Advertiser.May 16, 2012. Author: Andrew Gomes






...The Schuler division of homebuilder D.R. Horton has added a broad range of edible plants to the more traditional options that include carpet colors, appliance models and countertop materials for the second and last phase of its Kahi­welo at Maka­kilo subdivision.





Schuler finished building model homes for the last phase in April, and recently completed landscaping at one model to exhibit options that include a hydroponic vegetable system connected to a fishpond, two kinds of raised planter beds and landscaping dominated by herbs, fruits and vegetables.





The offering is part of a trend of urban gardens being incorporated with single-family homes and even on the roofs of commercial buildings and apartment complexes.








pictured left: Mike Jones, President of D.R. Horton-Schuler Division.










Has anyone else here heard of major home builders integrating aquaculture before?







...Prices for garden components start at $880 for an aquaponic system made from two plastic tubs by Mari's Gardens (Mililani). Tila­pia are raised in one tub, which transports waste and water from the fish to grow lettuce in another tub.





A roughly 6-foot square raised planter box with drip irrigation, soil and seeds costs $1,805.





Another kind of raised planter consisting of soil contained in mesh sacks on top of benches with irrigation sold by FarmRoof costs $935 for a system capable of producing 35 pounds of greens annually, or $2,120 for a system capable of producing 104 pounds per year.








[Raychel A Watkins]

I think I didn't push add.  Barbara if you find out how to get the catfish legal would you let me know as I want to raise them also.  TCLynx of this site raisess them in Florida and they get huge in a short time.  I know we have them in Lake Wilson and Nuuanu so it might not be so hard to import the fingerlings.

[Barbara McLain]

I think that local companies that could build initial aquaponic systems for people and also provide a maintenance service on a contract could work, but you'd have to sell the idea of "safe food"...not save money.  

 I haven't mapped out a business plan on this, but I'm guessing that it wouldn't be cost effective for the homeowner to pay someone else $30 a week to maintain a system?    Better finanically for the homeowner to learn how to do it for themselves.  That's one reason UH started the ATOLL program--- to provide knowledge to the average citizen-- you can pay $100 and we think you'll learn enough to give it a try.   Would only take one crop of vegetables to pay for the training.  I've been saving my money to build my system this summer...can't wait..although I want to raise catfish-- not tilapia, and I have to figure out how to get those legally shipped to me in Hawaii.  I will be videotaping the entire process for me....from start to finish.

[Raychel A Watkins]

Rifght on Barbara.  That is a service that will be needed for those that can not figure it out and those that do not want to figure it out.  Kirsten and I are working together to get as many backyard systems into existance as we can.  We teach people to do it the economical way.  To build from scratch and learn what you are doing and why you are doing it.  Ugly barrels and tubs can be made beautiful also. 

[Barbara McLain]

Kirsten.  You are absolutely correct...an aquaponic system without someone who knows how to use it, is probably going to be worthless.  I do hope that in the future however, that these systems become similar to backyard pools and create a new industry for maintenance workers in aquaponics.  Lots of people pay big bucks to have someone come once a week and service your swimming pool.  Why not a service industry like that for aquaponics?  

[Kirsten Udd]

Hmmm, I commented earlier, but apparently it didn't load or got deleted. Anyway, my take on it is that it's better for people to learn how because the expense will be even greater if the homeowner doesn't know what they are doing and either kills everything and/or lets it sit idle, or even gets fed up and takes it out. I'm all about people learning how to make their own systems, and you can camouflage the ugly barrels and tubs with the savings.

[Barbara McLain]

Raychel.  You are right for Year 1 of this build at this price, but it also depends on the greens you choose and how many years you can keep the system running. I also think you can't put a price on safe food.  Very little that you are buying in the stores now---fresh or otherwise--is probably 100% safe.  The real issue is that if you don't grow it yourself--you have no idea if it's safe or not.  That's the real message we need to put out to the community.

[Raychel A Watkins]

Hi Barbara

 Welcome to the site.  You always have so much to add on the hub I am happy you joined us over here.  Raychel

[Raychel A Watkins]

Does it make a lot of sense, that would make the greens cost $20 a pound.  I am sure it will be pretty and add to the landscape and maybe even encourage people to go bigger.  The problem is that the home association wouldn't allow something big or ugly around.  It is hard to eat pretty when push comes to shove. 

[Barbara McLain]

Kirsten.  I thought that too, but might be because they are building a system that blends in with landscaping...rather than ugly barrels and tubs?

[Kirsten Udd]

Wow, that's EXPENSIVE!