Egg supplier Villa Rose announced Friday that its Waialua Egg Farm, what it says is the first sustainable egg farm in the Islands, is set to market its first eggs in mid-December.
The modern-layer farm on Oahu's north shore is cage-free, solar-powered, energy independent, and carbon neutral, according to officials with Villa Rose. Eggs from the farm will be sold under the brand label of “Waialua Fresh."
The farm itself was built using solar arrays that double as cage-free shelter for the hens. The farm also operates on its own power grid.
“Hawaii is a unique and special place where we have been fortunate enough to conduct business for many years supplying mainland eggs”, said Tim Luberski, Villa Rose Partner, in a statement. “Our high-quality Mainland eggs have been sold in local stores, but the logistics and additional costs of having to transport them here from the mainland is not ideal. We have been seeking a way to contribute conscientiously and responsibly toward sustainable agriculture. Waialua Egg Farm is the result of those efforts.”
Other sustainable elements of the north shore egg operation include a biochar reactor that converts chicken waste into carbon-rich fertilizer that has a slower rate of decomposition, increasing water retention in soil and correcting soil acidity. The farm also has an independent water well, and its wastewater is reused for irrigation.
Waialua Egg Farm will produce and distribute its eggs locally, according to officials with Villa Rose.
“It is the purposeful intention of Villa Rose and Waialua Egg Farm to generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact, giving back to the community and the land,” said Marcus Rust, Villa Rose Partner, in a statement. “We are extremely pleased to be able to finally bring the vision into reality to serve Hawaii’s community.”
