College students learn Korean natural farming techniques on Hawai‘i Island

Hawai‘i Community College is making a lasting impact on sustainable agriculture in Hawai‘i through its pioneering use of Korean natural farming.

Since 2016, the Hawai‘i Island college’s agriculture program has trained students in Korean natural farming techniques, producing nearly 100 graduates, some of whom are now actively revitalizing Hawai‘i’s farmlands with environmentally friendly methods.

At the college’s Pana‘ewa farm lot, students learn to apply Korean natural farming principles to cultivate crops such as ‘uala (sweet potatoes), pineapples and kalo (taro) without synthetic fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides. This method harnesses Indigenous microorganisms and fermented plant-based biostimulants to enrich soil naturally — a crucial approach for restoring lands depleted by plantation-era farming.

“Korean natural farming is great for reviving unproductive soil, and we’ve seen remarkable results,” said Lew Nakamura, assistant professor of agriculture.

“Students are often surprised by how easy and cost-effective it is to create these inputs,” Nakamura continued. “A little goes a long way, but patience is key — it can take several years to fully restore soil conditions.”

Students in Nakamura’s Agriculture 250 Sustainable Crop Production class gain hands-on experience making fermented plant juices from banana flowers, kukui leaves and ‘uala leaves. After about a week of fermentation, these natural fertilizers are combined with lactic acid bacteria and water to create beneficial microorganisms that restore soil health.

Nakamura said organic Korean farming techniques have been around for decades.

The college also plans to implement Korean natural farming practices in future pig pens to promote sustainable livestock management.