February
Locavore and More
2/3/2012 Source: Office of Communication Services, CTAHR
 The
current issue of UC Berkeley’s alumni magazine has an article highlighting Hawai‘i Regional Cuisine that mentions CTAHR
and includes several quotes from Milton Yamasaki (pictured), former farm manager at
Mealani Research Station. It also includes data from PingSun Leung on the economic returns
realizable by increasing Hawai’i’s ag production by 10%, though he’s not cited
personally. The piece raises the usual important food security issues that face
Hawai‘i, and an insert article also presents the rarely discussed downsides of
the locavore movement. Worth checking out!
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Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme
2/3/2012 Source: Office of Communication Services, CTAHR
 First-graders
at Noelani Elementary might not know the Simon & Garfunkel hit or get the Star
Trek reference to the
split-fingered gesture that’s the best way to cradle a bedding plant being
slipped from its pot, but they definitely were able to relate to the excitement
of starting their own garden of vegetables and the aforementioned herbs at the
Magoon Research and Teaching Facility under the guidance of SOFT student
volunteers. Let’s hope their plants “live long and prosper!”
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Mango Sightings
2/3/2012 Source: Office of Communication Services, CTAHR
 Have you
noticed that mango trees have been flowering unusually early this year? This KITV news clip looks into the possible
cause—a cold and dry stretch this past summer. CTAHR’s Urban Horticulturist Jayme
Grzebik also shares some information about the Urban Garden Center and the Master
Gardener Program.
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Fountain of Youth?
2/3/2012 Source: Office of Communication Services, CTAHR
 David
Christopher (MBBE, pictured on the left) heads a team of researchers studying enzymes and an enzyme
inhibitor associated with aging in fruit and flowers.
The
National Science Foundation’s SEE Innovation Web
site featured a recent workshop
he held in collaboration with partners at KCC and LCC that led a team of
undergraduate students in investigating what leads to plants' browning and softening. Not only does this research hold promise for Hawai‘i’s agriculture and horticulture
industries, but as the feature points out, the program builds confidence and
knowledge in community college students and encourages them to become involved
in the sciences. And it might even help researchers into human degenerative
diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Triple benefit!!
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January
Rainbow(-Painting) Warriors
1/17/2012 Source: Office of Communication Services, CTAHR
 On Nov. 19, members of UH Rotaract, a student club sponsored by HNFAS, volunteered at Kalihi Elementary for the Rotary Give Thanks Day. UH Rotaract teamed up with the members of the Rotary Club of Pau Hana, the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset, the Rotary Club of Downtown Honolulu, and the Rotary Club of Metropolitan to help paint the doors of various classrooms to brighten the school. Each classroom was designated a color of the rainbow. Pictured are UH Rotaract members Colin Aono (Marine Biology sophomore) and Krystle Ito (Animal Science freshman) carefully applying the finishing touches to a door. Want to learn more about UH Rotaract? Come to the club’s first meeting of the semester on Wednesday, Jan. 25, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Agricultural Sciences Building, Room 219, or visit their Web site.
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A Fish Tale
1/17/2012 Source: Office of Communication Services, CTAHR
 Clyde Tamaru was featured in the December/January issue of Hana Hou, the Hawaiian Airlines magazine, in a funny article about the many pitfalls and problems encountered by a neophyte starting to get into aquaponics. Needless to say, after the writer finally gets in touch with Clyde, all of his troubles—dead fish, maladjusted equipment, etc.—are at an end, and by the close of the piece he’s happily embarked on his new venture. Just another job well done.... Check out the article if only for the picture of Clyde grinning with one of his finny friends!
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SoYummy
1/17/2012 Source: Office of Communication Services, CTAHR
 Kulanui, Rainbowtique’s line of value-added products made from locally grown items that might normally be thrown away, such as overripe and underripe papaya, is bringing out a new batch of treats. These ones are made with okara, a by-product of tofu-making. Kulanui’s Okara Shortbread was featured in Honolulu Magazine’s “Lei Chic” column and on the “Living Lei Chic” segment of Hawaii News Now’s Sunrise morning show, on which HNFAS graduate Jennifer Shido (pictured) discussed the cookies’ unique appeal. The okara cookies were developed by CTAHR HNFAS students under the supervision of Wayne Iwaoka, who can be credited with the invention of the ecologically and economically conscious Kulanui line. Keep an eye out for okara granola and energy bars, which will soon make their appearance as well.
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Da Tax Man
1/6/2012 Source: Office of Communication Services, CTAHR
 The financial consequences of failing to comply with tax-filing requirements can jeopardize businesses. Risk Management
Hawaii is sponsoring 2 workshops on basic and advanced tax issues facing small
businesses and farmers in Hawai‘i, to be held on the Big Island next week. They
will be held in the Waimea Civic Center Conference Room from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
on Wednesday, Jan. 11, and in the Komohana Extension Office Conference Room
from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12. Workshops will be led by Michael
Holl, a federally licensed Enrolled Agent (EA) representing taxpayers before
the IRS. Educational activities are accessible for individuals with
disabilities—for information or to request an auxiliary aid or service (e.g.,
sign language interpreter, designated parking, or materials in alternate
format), contact Didi at (808) 938-1719 seven days before the workshop. Please
RSVP by Jan. 6th. Questions? Call Didi at the above number, leave a voicemail at
(808) 887-6183, or contact your local extension agent.
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Oil Your Joints
1/6/2012 Source: Office of Communication Services, CTAHR
 Harry Ako (MBBE) and
Alan Titchenal (HNFAS, pictured) were recently featured on KHON discussing the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids
derived from fish oil. Omega-3's aren't just good for the heart, which they're more
commonly used for; they're also good for easing joint aches and pains, they
explain. They point out, however, that plant-based omega-3’s don’t have the
same level of benefits and caution consumers to check out where their fatty
acids are coming from.
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