The Welcome Mat: March/April 2026
Sustainable living can start with simple, mindful changes
By: Faith Freitas
Mar 2, 2026
Aloha kākou,
I originally thought I’d only be writing this note for our inaugural issue, but here I am again. The truth is, we’ve been having so much fun bringing Kuʻu Home to life and there’s just so much to explore and share about living well in Hawaiʻi.
Recently, I traveled to California to watch the San Francisco 49ers take on the Chicago Bears (Bear Down!) and stayed at my brother’s hale in the Bay Area. They had just finished remodeling their kitchen and I was immediately drawn to what might be one of the coolest — and most practical — kitchen features I’ve ever seen: a built-in compost bin right next to the sink. It was clean, functional and thoughtfully designed — nothing like the countertop compost containers I grew up with that sometimes got messy, smelly or forgotten.
Seeing that simple upgrade got me excited, because composting is such an easy way to reduce waste and give back to the ʻāina. Growing up, my family always composted — usually with something as simple as an old milk carton on the counter — and it reminded me how small habits and small changes can truly make a difference. In Hawaiʻi, where we’re surrounded by natural beauty and live on islands with limited resources, being mindful of what we throw away is especially important.
That’s why in this issue, we’re sharing a story on composting — not as a trend, but as a practical, everyday way to live more sustainably. Whether it’s built into your counter or simply a well-designed bin on your countertop, composting helps reduce landfill waste, enriches soil and keeps our islands healthier for future generations.
At Kuʻu Home, we want to highlight ideas that are both inspiring and doable — things that make our homes more functional, our lives more thoughtful and our connection to Hawaiʻi even stronger. We hope this story sparks ideas for your own home and reminds you that even small changes can have a lasting impact.
Mahalo for being part of this journey with us. We’re just getting started.
Aloha nui,
Faith Freitas
President, Trade Media Hui Inc.
This story appears in the March/April 2026 print issue of Ku‘u Home magazine.