Page 8 - Hawaii Renovation - Sep 18, 2022

8 HAWAII RENOVATION SEPTEMBER 18, 2022
BIG SHIFT RESULTS
IN EVEN GREATER REWARDS
LBY CAROLINE WRIGHT
ast fall, Sean Fong of Hawaiian Turfgrass decided to try some- thing different at his 67-acre
Since launching his company in 2008, Fong had been growing sod on sheets of plastic, like other turfgrass farms on the island.
“All the local growers are used to plastic-grown sod,” he says. “It’s how most of us were taught.”
But Fong had observed that this method might not be ideal.
“Growing on plastic can be like growing in a frying pan,” he comments. “If grass doesn’t get enough water, ev- erything can fry and die.”
Growing on plastic wasn’t terribly eco-friendly, either.
“There’s so much waste and rubbish,” Fong says. “On the mainland, turfgrass farmers are all growing in-ground.”
So in October 2021, Fong made the decision to try planting a field of sod directly in the ground.
“I noticed a beneficial outcome: the grass greened up faster, and there weren’t any dry spots. We could use less water and get the same product — maybe even a better one.”
Mililani farm.
The experiment was so successful that Hawaiian Turfgrass began migrat- ing from planting on plastic to grow- ing its residential grass varieties in native soil. The company invested in a new sod harvester, a machine that can cut long rolls or short slabs of turfgrass. The machine separates each
slab from the soil, but its roots are still healthy and intact.
Soil-grown turfgrass uses less water and fertilizer because there’s less run- off.
“As an additional benefit, standard
ALLISLANDBATHREMODELINGLLC
Over 30 Years Experience Locally Owned & Operated
$500 DISCOUNT shower conversion $1000 OFF complete remodels
• Complete Bathroom and Kitchen Remodeling
• Senior Friendly Shower and Walk-in-Tubs
• Tub Cut for Easy Access for Seniors
• Special Pricing for Seniors, Military, Realtors,
Hotels and Property Management
• Free Consultation and Estimates
• Limited Lifetime Warranty
Guy Kakugawa Call for a Free Estimate
Contractor’s Lic: #C31944, #C31945
808-358-7780 www.allislandbath.com Office:(808)681-0001
OPEN FOR BUSINESS! Shower Sliding Door as low as $350/set
IN STOCK NOW
• Vinyl Flooring • Tile
• Shower Doors
For questions or products, please email sales@hdcflooringstore.com
• Shower Panels • Solid Wood
Flooring
• Mosaic Glass
FLOORING & STONE
Mon-Sat 8-5pm • Sun Closed
1095 Dillingham Blvd. #F3 Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
808.888.8338
hcflooringstone.com
BEAT THE HEAT!
COO
O
L
L
Y
Y
O
O
U
U
R
R
H
H
O
O
M
M
E
E
W
W
I
I
T
TH
SAVE WITH A
HOT AIR OUT, COOL AIR IN!
HAWAII ENERGY REBATE
ENERGY EFFICIENT COOLING
(808) 672-2300 • IslandCooling.com
HAWAIIAN TURFGRASS | TURFGRASS