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The Dean's Notes Archive
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September 16, 2002
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BIG ISLAND COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEE DEFEATS RESOLUTION
As many of you may be aware, the Committee on Human Resources and Economic Development of the Hawaii Island County Council met Tuesday, September 10, to consider a non-binding resolution calling for a moratorium on the planting of transgenic coffee anywhere on the Big Island. The resolution had been brought to the council by the coffee growers of the Kona area. I and several others testified before the committee in opposition to the resolution. My testimony is shown below. The resolution was defeated on a vote of three in favor and four against (with five needed to pass the resolution). At a September 25 meeting of the whole council, the resolution will come up for a vote again but without the endorsement of the committee.

Here is the testimony I presented. Feel free to write to me with your comments. If you write, please use my direct e-mail: aghashim@hawaii.edu:

Testimony on Resolution 236 02

A Resolution Supporting a Moratorium on the Release and Planting of Genetically Modified (GM) Coffee in the Districts of North and South Kona in Order to Assure and Protect the Biotic Integrity and Market Value of Pure Kona Coffee

Chair Pisicchio and Members of the Committee:

There is no doubt that the Kona Coffee industry contributes significantly to the economic and cultural vitality of the County and State, and it is understandable why there is a desire to maintain the unique brand identity and market price of Kona Coffee. There are concerns that the high market price and niche that the Kona Coffee industry enjoys will be eroded if the coffee plant is genetically modified. The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources is sympathetic to the concerns of the industry and has committed to being open about the types of research we were conducting on coffee and that we would not field test (on our experiment stations or cooperators' farms) any genetically modified coffee on the County of Hawaii without first talking to the industry and gaining their agreement. I believe the other research entities named in the resolution also made similar commitments.

However, I am concerned about the resolution for a number of reasons. First, it is not necessary since there are no genetically modified coffee plants ready to be field tested, and the commitment that if any are approved for field testing, they would not be tested in Kona. Second, it is unclear how the resolution will be enforced, which organizations will be responsible to develop, adopt and approve the regulatory regime envisioned in the resolution, and by whom and how the "evaluation of genetic contamination from pollen drift and other environmental consequences and secondary ecological effects" will be conducted. Finally, I am most concerned about how this resolution will be used in the national and international debate on the use of genetically modified materials in agriculture. Clearly, there need to be reasoned discussions on the benefits and risks of this technology; however, it would be unfortunate if this resolution is portrayed in the press as an example of the County and State of Hawaii’s "anti-GMO" stance. It is to our advantage that we in Hawaii use the tools of biotechnology where appropriate to ensure an economically and environmentally viable and sustainable agriculture. Examples of this technology that are readily apparent include resistance to the papaya ring spot virus, nematode resistance, banana bunchy top resistance, new varieties of ornamental flowers, etc. The stakes are too high for us to not continue to investigate the usefulness of this technology. Even the Kona Coffee industry may need to use this technology in the future to address a pressing problem. Keep in mind that research on papaya ring spot resistance was in progress for many years before the virus nearly destroyed the industry. We need all the tools available at our disposal to address issues of importance to agriculture.

Thank you for the opportunity to testify.


REMINDER: BROWN BAGS TO EXCELLENCE
All instructional faculty are reminded of the Brown Bags to Excellence program initiated by Marlene Hapai every other Monday, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Gilmore 212 and the Ag Sciences III Computer Lab, beginning September 23 and ending December 2. The sessions are meant to help all teachers, both new ones and seasoned ones, improve their teaching styles and techniques. This is a great opportunity to get some tips on teaching and find out how others deal with the challenges of the classroom.


AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE 2002
The Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii, the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, and CTAHR are co-sponsors of Agriculture Conference 2002, to be held October 24 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. The conference, this year celebrating the 20th year of ALFH, is the first of what is planned to be an annual event. It immediately precedes the annual convention, October 25-26, of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, also being held in the Sheraton Waikiki.

The all-day Agriculture Conference 2002 will feature sessions meant to lower risks and increase profits for agricultural businesses. Two plenary speakers and morning and afternoon breakout sessions are planned.

The conference will also honor Big Island rancher Monty Richards, president and chairman of Kahua Ranch, Ltd. Richards, a true leader and visionary for Hawaii’s agriculture industry, has a long history of civic leadership. He was a founding father of ALFH, twice a member of the UH board of regents, the head of RETA-H, and he currently sits on the CTAHR board of advisors. These are only a few of the many positions he has held over the years.

You are all encouraged to attend the conference if you are able.


TSTAR PRE-PROPOSALS DUE SOON
The call for TSTAR preproposals will be going out soon, with a deadline of October 14. Doug Vincent sent a memo to faculty last week telling of a TSTAR help session he will conduct October 3, 1:30-3:00 p.m., Gilmore 212, to provide tips for anyone intending to submit a TSTAR preproposal. The session will focus on new faculty and those submitting a TSTAR preproposal for the first time.

If you plan to attend the help session, please notify Lynnet Higuchi (956-8157, research2@ctahr.hawaii.edu) by Monday, September 30.


BDP CONFERENCE GETS PROGRAM OFF TO A GOOD START
I would like to extend my personal thanks to Donna Ching and all others who worked to make the kickoff conference for the Business Development Partnership a success. There is still work to do, but I think many people had the opportunity to explore the promises and challenges of this new direction for CTAHR. By the end of the day we had a strong core of faculty committed to the concept and willing to work to make it succeed.

Several who attended the conference were from private business and other public agencies. My thanks, too, to all of those individuals who took precious time away from their jobs to come and help us articulate the goals of BDP. This is meant to be a partnership in the truest sense of the word. We cannot make BDP work without your input and collaboration.

As the day unfolded, it became clear that the BDP needed a mission statement. Nola Miyasaki, Ron Wall, and Jody Moore were asked to draft one. The draft statement is shown below. If you have any comments or suggestions for changes, please send them to Jody Moore (moorej@ctahr.hawaii.edu). Here is the proposed text of the mission statement:

"The Business Development Partnership collaboratively engages the expertise and resources of the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and College of Business Administration, the private sector agriculture-based community, public sector partners, and other interested entities to foster the development and growth of innovative, entrepreneurial businesses that add value to products; make profitable, sustainable use of Hawaii's land and resources; protect and preserve Hawaii's environment and life style; and contribute significantly to the economic health and prosperity of the state and its people."

Dale Uno has put the materials from the meeting on the CTAHR web site. They can be found at http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ctahr2001/BDP/.


THANKS TO ALL FOR THE ICE CREAM BASH
Once again, the folks in the Office of Academic and Student Affairs did a great job with the annual welcome back ice cream bash, held earlier today in the Sherman Lab courtyard. Thanks to everyone who helped. Special thanks to the students and faculty who were willing to put on costumes. There were some inspired entries this year. Winner was Dr. Travis Idol, new faculty member in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, who came convincingly dressed as a papaya tree.

We were pleased to see several distinguished guests, including new Manoa chancellor, Peter Englert, and interim vice chancellor for academic affairs, Karl Kim.


CTAHR CALENDAR
Please remember to send your calendar items to Dean's Notes.

*September 20: CTAHR Alumni Association annual dinner, 6:00 p.m. buffet dinner, Manoa Grand Ballroom, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, 2454 S. Beretania Street (contacts: Steve, 395-6447; Freda, 484-3721; Wendy Abe, wabe@bbh.org)

*September 20: Weed control lecture: No-tillage farming, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Maui Community College Education Center, Molokai, room 107 (contact: Joe DeFrank, 808-956-5698, defrenk@hawaii.edu)

*September 20-21: 38th annual conference, Hawaii Papaya Industry Association, Ocean Resort Hotel, Waikiki (contact: C.L. Chia, 808-956-7899, chian@hawaii.edu)

*September 21: Corn Field Day, Waimanalo Field Station, 9:00 a.m.-noon (contact: Jim Brewbaker, brewbake@hawaii.edu, 956-7985)

*September 21: Getting Ahead Financially, noncredit course, Outreach College, taught by Ron Wall, $20 fee, 9:00-11:30 a.m., Sakamaki Hall C101 (contact: Paulette Feeney, 956-2037)

*September 23-November 10: Take Charge of Your Money, a telecourse, Mondays, 8:00-9:00 p.m., rebroadcast Sundays 6;00-7:00 a.m. (Oahu, Oceanic 55, Craig 21; Kauai, Hoike Channel 10; Hilo and Kona, Na Leo Channel 54); Tuesdays, 8:00-9:00 p.m. (Maui, MCCTV-54); online registration http://ctahr.hawaii.edu/tcyour$ (contact: Pamela Kutara, kutara@hawaii.edu, 956-7212)

*September 27: 4-H Keiki Water Fest, Pokai Bay-Waianae, collaborative effort among 4-H, NREM, and Waianae Coast (contact: Maryknoll Spotkaeff, maryknol@hawaii.edu, 808-

*September 27: 2002 Autumn Festival, Urban Garden Center, enrollment filled (contact: Steve Nagano, snagano@hawaii.edu, 453-6054)

*September 27: Weed control lecture: Living mulch for vegetable crop production in Hawaii, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Maui Community College, Molokai, room 105 (contact: Joe DeFrank, 808-956-5698, defrenk@hawaii.edu)

*September 28: Alternatives to Pesticides, a free Ko’olaupoko Watershed community workshop, 2:00-6:00 p.m., C&L Nursery, 41-665 Kaulukanu St., Waimanalo (contact: Kimberly Clark, 259-5635; Liz Harrington, 291-1116, kbac.ed@verizon.net)

*September 30: Creating Green Environments conference, 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and pau hana time, Ala Moana Hotel, fee $75 before September 20, $90 thereafter (contact: eileen@outdoorcircle.org, 808-593-0300)

*October 5: Pre-retirement Planning, noncredit course, Outreach College, taught by Ron Wall, $20 fee, 9:00-11:30 a.m., Sakamaki Hall C101 (contact: Paulette Feeney, 956-2037)

*October 13: 4-H Centennial Celebration, 2:00-5:00 p.m., UH-Manoa Art Department Auditorium (contact: Carol Ikeda, cikeda@hawaii.edu, 808-322-4892)

*October 14-16: Short course: Pesticide Risk Reduction Education, Lihue, Kauai; fee: $100; registration deadline: September 20; registration form at http://pestworld.stjohn.hawaii.edu/studypackets/ordrfrm2.html (contact: Charles Nagamine, charlie@hpirs.stjohn.hawaii.edu, phone 808-956-6007, fax 808-956-9675)

*October 15-17: Hawaii Turfgrass Association and Hawaii Association of Nurserymen Annual Conference and Tradeshow, Pacific Beach Hotel, Honolulu (contact: Madeleine Shaw, 808-955-3504)

*October 24: Agricultural Conference 2002, Changing Times: Creating Opportunities in Agriculture; co-sponsored by Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, CTAHR; 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Sheraton Waikiki Hotel (contact: Agricultural Leadership Foundation, 808-732-2294, fax 808-732-2794; Alan Tin, tin@verizon.net).

*October 25: CTAHR open house for high school students, 9:00 a.m.-noon, various locations on CTAHR’s Manoa campus (contact: Allene Chun, chuna@ctahr.hawaii.edu, 956-6733)

*October 25-26: Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation annual convention and farm tour, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel(contact: HFBF, hfbf@hfbf.org, 808-848-2074)

*October 26-27: Hawaii Noni Conference, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Hilo, Hawaii (contact: S. C. Nelson, noni@hawaii.edu, 808-959-9155; details, registration form
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ctahr2001/commodities/noni/2002conference.asp)

*October 31: Evaluation, Nutrition, and Physical Activity (a Food Stamp nutrition education project conference), 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Hale Ikena, Fort Shafter, Honolulu, registration $40 until September 30, $50 thereafter, registration form at web site http://www.hawaii.edu/foodskills/foodstampconf.htm (contact: Pamela Kutara, 956-7212, kutara@hawaii.edu)

*November 2: Long-Term Care Insurance and Its Alternatives, noncredit course, Outreach College, taught by Ron Wall, $20 fee, 9:00-11:30 a.m., Sakamaki Hall C101 (contact: Paulette Feeney, 956-2037)

*December 7: Financial Security in Later Life, noncredit course, Outreach College, taught by Ron Wall, $20 fee, 9:00-11:30 a.m., Sakamaki Hall C101 (contact: Paulette Feeney, 956-2037)

*January 13-17, 2003: National Council of Farmer Cooperatives convention, Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort (January 15 opening reception open to all) (contact: Wayne Nishijima, waynen@hawaii.edu, 808-959-9155)


The next issue of Dean's Notes will appear September 27, 2002.

I hope you all have a productive week.

Aloha,
Andy Hashimoto
deansnotes@ctahr.hawaii.edu
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Last updated on 12/10/02