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CTAHR Alumni & Friends

Issue 33   |   September 08, 2014   |   Archive

News & Events

Late But Still Great!

For those who feared that the next Alumni & Friends was never coming, your wait is over! Many apologies for the delay.

After the Storm

Hurricane damage to WaiakeaWhew! It looks like Hawai‘i County research stations escaped major damage from Hurricane Iselle. Volcano, Kona, and Lalamilo reported no damage, and Mealani reported downed branches on an electric fence, which were cleared, and a tree leaning into power lines. Waiakea Station had the most serious damage, with a 20 x 30-foot section of the roof of a tractor garage peeled off and many broken tree branches and toppled trees. No injuries, though!

Grants & Awards

Big Reaction for the Bioreactor

Eunsung KanEunsung Kan (MBBE, pictured) mentored and supervised the first prize-winning graduate student team of Rommel Yanos, Bertram Booker, and Stuart Watson at the August 16 Ma Ka Hana Ka ‘Ike 3rd annual ‘IKE Scholars Symposium. The topic of their presentation was “Carbon Dioxide Sequestration in a Novel Bioreactor.” The judges, comprised of UH faculty, UH administration, professional engineers, industry representatives, and UH graduate students, chose the MBBE presentation from among the 11 entries in the symposium. The symposium featured student presentations of projects supported through ‘IKE both in the Summer Engineering Experiences (SEEs) and Undergraduate Research Experiences (URE). ‘IKE students hail from six UH campuses. Congratulations, Eunsung, Rommel, Bertram and Stuart!

Hort Hot Shot

Bob PaullRobert Paull (TPSS) was elected a Fellow of the American Society of Horticultural Science (ASHS) for his outstanding contributions to horticulture and the Society. ASHS promotes and encourages national and international interest in scientific research and education in horticulture in all its branches, and the ASHS Fellows Award is the highest honor bestowed on a member. Bob received the award at the annual meeting held in Orlando, Florida. As if that were not sufficient, Bob was also named a Fellow of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) for his outstanding contributions to horticultural science worldwide! ISHS is the world’s leading independent organization of horticultural scientists. We clearly have a horticultural star in our midst!

GoFarm on Kaua‘i!

Koon Hui Wang discusses insect pests with students Alfred Amasiu Jr. and Michael BascukThe GoFarm Hawai‘i program received $25,000 in support of their program at Kaua‘i Community College from the Doc Buyers Fund at Hawai‘i Community Foundation. GoFarm Hawai‘i began training beginning farmers on Kaua‘i this year and is looking forward to continuing to develop new farmers to meet Hawai‘i’s need for more commercial farmers with the support of this most recent funding. GoFarm Hawai‘i also receives financial support from Kamehameha Schools, the Ulupono Initiative, and the U.S. Department of Labor. Read more about Kaua‘i’s GoFarm program at Midweek Kaua‘i.

Hort Hall of Famer

Andrew Kawabata honored with the 2014 MIDPAC Hall of Fame awardAndrew Kawabata (TPSS) was honored with the 2014 MIDPAC Hall of Fame award at the Hawai‘i MidPac Horticultural Conference & Expo held July 23-25 at the Hapuna Prince Hotel. Andrew's clients nominated and selected him for this honor. The MidPac Conference is an annual event that brings together growers and buyers of Hawai‘i's ornamental products. The Hawai‘i Export Nursery Association (HENA), Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association (HFNA), and Orchid Growers of Hawai‘i (OGOH) partnered to organize this year's event with the able assistance of Andrew and Kelvin Sewake (PEPS). Congratulations, Andrew!

Floriculture Fantastic

Emily LloydCongratulations to PhD student Emily Lloyd (TPSS), who was awarded the John Carew Memorial Scholarship from the American Floral Endowment! The American Floral Endowment is an independent, nonprofit organization that funds research and scholarships in floriculture and environmental horticulture for the benefit of growers, wholesalers, retailers, allied industry organizations, and the general public. Emily was drawn to the intersection of aesthetics and science in the production of ornamentals, which inspired her to research them for her doctorate. We know her research and her success will continue to flower!

Spotlight on Our Community

Speaking of Organic Seeds in New York

SOSS logoFarm coach Jay Bost and banana expert Gabe Sachter-Smith (both TPSS graduate students) presented at the Student Organic Seed Symposium this August in Ithaca, New York. There they shared experiences in applying their work towards moving agriculture in the direction of increased sustainability and regionalism. Jay was also one of the event organizers. The theme for this year’s symposium was “Regional Adaptation for Sustainable Food and Seed Systems,” and the event assembled a diverse interdisciplinary group of speakers and graduate students, with a focus on plant breeding and related disciplines.

From CTAHR to Environmental Law

SylvaPEPS alumnus Matthew Alan Sylva has continued going strong since he won the CTAHR Award for Merit for Undergraduates for Oral Presentations at the CTAHR/COE Symposium in April, and first place for Natural Sciences Presentations at the Honors/UROP Symposium in May based on his work with wiliwili trees. Matthew spent his summer working with Native Hawaiian plants at the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethno-Botanical Garden in Kealakekua before embarking on the next phase of his educational journey: the William S. Richardson School of Law, where he will work toward a certificate in environmental law. “I would say that my mentor and thesis adviser Dr. Leyla Kaufman has been crucial to helping me to get where I am today,” Matthew says. “I wouldn't have been able to conduct such a fascinating thesis out in the field, on a neighbor island, with such autonomy (especially as an undergrad) under anyone else within CTAHR. Both she and Dr. Mark Wright are inspirations to me. They're so smart and accomplished, but never make you feel too intimidated, and they are unbelievably helpful and nice.” Praise is due to all three!

Welcome to CTAHR! Enjoy Your College!

New students at the New Student OrientationThe 35 newest members of our college were welcomed at the 2014 New Student Orientation by Associate Dean Charly Kinoshita and Lisa Kitagawa-Akagi (ASAO). Representatives from student clubs and organizations encouraged new students to get involved, followed by a slideshow of pictures from college events during the past academic year. Afterward, the new students broke into groups, led by current CTAHR students who gave them lots of good advice. They shared their personal development of skills that will help in life after college and answered any questions the incoming students had. Afterward, groups went out on a campus tour, came back to Gilmore Hall for a tasty lunch, and met with an academic advisor, where they received guidance on classes to take and what to expect in college from their academic careers. A big thank you goes to the student committee members and scholarship recipients who served as NSO leaders: Sheldon Arakawa, Arby Barone, Stanley Chan, Jerrisa Ching, Noel Gibeau, Abraham Kwan, Hailey Pederson, Jason McMurray, Brandon Ngao, Ryan Ringuette, Trexia Sison, Angela Stein, Ericka Yiu, and Kelli Zakimi. Mahalo is also owed to faculty advisors, student club and organization representatives, and ASAO for helping to welcome the newest members of our college!

Plant Nutrients From Sea Birds

Julia RoweAn article in the August issue of Environment Hawai‘i, “Marine Subsidies for Montane Soils,” highlighted a presentation PhD candidate Julia Rowe (NREM) gave at the recent Hawaii Ecosystems Meeting in Hilo. Julia has been studying levels of nutrients in soil at upper Limahuli and Hono o Napali on the north shore of Kaua‘i. She has seen differences between seabird and non-seabird areas and is continuing research into the connection between seabirds and nitrogen levels in the soil. The August issue of Environment Hawai‘i also includes an update on Jesse Eiben (PEPS) and his work with the wekiu bug!

Albizia Are Bad for (Cleanup) Business

Clean up efforts on the Big IslandThe albizia tree strikes again (literally)! Ken Leonhardt (TPSS) talked to KHON about what makes albizia a particularly problematic tree, especially when it comes to the clean-up efforts in Puna. Albizia are fast-growing trees that can be found on every island, where they pose a potential hazard during high wind situations such as Tropical Storm Iselle. In Puna, downed albizia trees have damaged numerous power lines and have impeded progress in the recovery. Ken recommends getting rid of the trees if they are on your property and keeping on guard in areas where albizia grow near power lines and private property.

4-H “Makes the Best Better” on the Big Island

3-H Helpers on the Big IslandIn the wake of the recent Hurricane Iselle, East Hawai‘i 4-H’ers and their families have devoted countless volunteer hours in the past 12 days to helping hurricane victims. 4-H families helped to serve hot meals to those in need and collected almost 3,700 pounds of ice, bottled water, and canned goods, as well as bedding, personal hygiene items, and batteries. There were also diapers, baby food, stuffed animals, and toys for area keiki. East Hawai‘i 4-H would like to say mahalo to all who made donations and also to many of the Hawai‘i County CTAHR faculty for all their support and assistance. And we’d like to say mahalo to East Hawai‘i 4-H!

Style on the Radio

Andy Reilly and Malie MoranAndy Reilly (FCS) and Malie Moran took to the Hawai‘i Public Radio airwaves to discuss Honolulu’s street fashion and their recent book, Honolulu Street Style. The book includes a fabulous collection of photographs and goes into the diverse global trends that influence Hawai‘i, as well as the unique local neighborhood cultures that put their own spin on fashion. Honolulu Street Style is available from your favorite bookseller.

Pulling for Puna!

Sharon Motomura with ice bag

Big Island CTAHR Extension is lending a helping hand with hurricane relief in Puna. A big mahalo to Extension agents Becky Settlage for leading the CTAHR and East Hawai‘i 4-H’er charge, and Sharon Motomura for helping to bag ice for East Hawai‘i 4-H to distribute to families in need in the Puna area!


Sharing English and Food Science

CTAHR students with Nihon University students@import url(/Site/css/cute_editor.css); ‘Ono! Oishii! Science! CTAHR students Alex Navarro, Jay Gibson, Jennie Yano, Saya Kataoka, Flora Wang, and Ross Villiger (HNFAS) and Allie Kim (MBBE) volunteered with the Nihon University Summer Program August 6 and 11. The CTAHR student volunteers participated in English conversation as part of the Nihon University students’ English language courses at UH. The 16 students from Nihon University are spending 10 days in Hawai‘i studying English and topics in Food Science and Human Nutrition at UH.

Exploring the Global Mosaic in Taiwan

Jasmine Asuncion in the Mosaic Taiwan programCTAHR alumna Jasmine Asuncion (FAMR) was one of two UH students/alumnae selected for Mosaic Taiwan, a three-week fellowship program led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan. The program selected 30 scholars from across the country. Mosaic Taiwan provides young students and professionals with an interest in global affairs with the opportunity to explore the beauty of Taiwan’s natural environment and to better understand its culture and society through extensive exchanges with local leaders from various fields. This year’s program ran from June 15 to July 5, during which the participants took part in team-building and leadership-development exercises; tours of various businesses, museums, and cultural sites; and meet-and-greet sessions with government officials, educators, community representatives and young leaders in Taiwan. They even got to meet President Ma Ying-jeou and Vice President Wu Den-yih! Most important, they also got to contribute to Taiwan's cultural mosaic.

Sharing and Learning in Hong Kong

CTAHR students working in the fields on the Hong Kong study tourCTAHR students Tyler Daguay (PEPS), Miho Fujii (FSHN), Felicia Geronimo (TPSS), and Kelli Zakimi (FSHN), along with Sylvia Trinh of the Academic and Student Affairs Office, are back from 10 days in Hong Kong spent learning about agriculture and food issues. They arrived at the Wing Lung Ecological Farm located on the outskirts of Hong Kong, where Hong Kong campers joined them for the work-camp experience. Students helped to weed, till, repair various facilities, uproot trees, and do pest control management during their stay. After Wing Lung, they journeyed to other farms stretched across the region. First was a Buddhist organic farm experimenting with different crops to see which ones fare well in Hong Kong weather. They then traveled to Ping Che, where locals were on a mission to revive the regional culture and arts. The CTAHR group shared their own Hawai‘i culture with the villagers and other international work-campers. The students’ last tour was the rice fields in Long Valley, where the group harvested, milled, sifted, and bagged rice. Thanks are due to the VolTra organization in Hong Kong for organizing the study tour and to Bird Tang, Anson, Chun-On Lai, and Stephanie Chan for hosting the CTAHR group and going out of their way to make the experience so enjoyable. Thanks also go out to everyone the group met on their adventure, including KK and the friendly Ping Che residents, the volunteers, and the farmers they visited. Mahalo to ASAO for supporting these adventurous students, and to the students themselves, who made this experience meaningful for everyone they encountered in Hong Kong!

Here’s to 4-H and ‘Minnie Lee’!

4-H Extension Agents: Claire Nakatsuka, Kate Everett, Joan Chong, Becky Settlage, Laura Kawamura, Rose Saito, Steve Nagano, plant Minnie Lee II at the Urban Garden CenterNice to see you again, ‘Minnie Lee’! 4-H Extension Agents (L-R clockwise) Claire Nakatsuka (O‘ahu), Kate Everett (Maui), Joan Chong (Kona), Becky Settlage (Hilo), Laura Kawamura (Kaua‘i), Rose Saito (O‘ahu), and Steve Nagano (O‘ahu), met at the Urban Garden Center August 1 for a meeting and to plant a ‘Minnie Lee II’ hibiscus to commemorate Cooperative Extension's Centennial. Its caretaker will be Aubin Stremler, a UGC volunteer. Kaua‘i administrator Roy Yamakawa provided the plant, but how it got there was a long, strange trip! The original ‘Minnie Lee’, the Extension hibiscus and the official flower of the Hawai‘i Extension Homemaker’s Council, was bred by A.M. Bush on Maui in 1929 and named for the wife and daughter of William Lloyd, who formally established Hawai‘i’s Extension Service. Although a thousand cuttings were distributed to 4-H’ers back in the 1930s, it was nowhere to be found by the ’90s. So Terry Sekioka, a now-retired CTAHR plant breeder, taught the University Extension (UE) ladies on Kaua‘i how to breed hibiscus, and Mrs. Hisayo Niitani, one of the charter members of Kaua‘i UE, successfully made a cross between the initial parents to produce ‘Minnie Lee II’ and distributed it to UE club ladies on Kaua‘i. Then, to produce the plant at UGC, one of those plants was grafted! So, as it says in the song dedicated to ‘Minnie Lee, “here’s to the yellow hibiscus, our aloha for farm and for home”...and here’s to those who made sure she’s still blooming!

Digestible Science

Two students and Maria Stewart working in the lab for the Super Science Fair ExchangeNothing brings people together like sharing food. Or, in this case, sharing about how the digestive system breaks down food. On July 31, Maria Stewart (HNFAS) organized an activity for the 'Iolani/Ritsumeikan Super Science Fair Exchange to learn about the science of nutrition. Sixteen high school students from Iolani High School in Honolulu and Ritsumeikan High School in Kyoto, Japan, participated in a series of lab activities that demonstrated how the digestive system works. The students are part of the Super Science Fair Exchange program for high-achieving high school students who wish to pursue careers in science. Mark Lindsay, the teacher from Iolani School, reported that the students really enjoyed the lab and presentation, especially the hands-on activities and the explanation of the chemical and physical changes that nutrients undergo during digestion. The science of digestion...yummy!

New Publications

When Two Plants Love Each Other…

Biotech in Focus 15 cover

The new issue of Biotech in Focus examines the question, “Is there potential for movement of genes between genetically modified plants and others?” The bulletin explores how plants reproduce, and what kind of hybrids can result from the combination of GM and wild plants. Check out the new issue and all the archived issues of Biotech in Focus on the website!


Beloved Plant Guide by Beloved Plant Expert Back in Print

Plants of Hawaii

Some wisdom never changes, but it’s always good to supplement it with new information. Gardening expert and former CTAHR publicist Fortunato Teho’s Plants of Hawai‘i—How to Grow Them, originally published in 1971, has been reprinted by Petroglyph Press, now with Integrated Pest Management, earth-friendly recipes for pest control, and a list of current gardening resources. The book is an easy-to-read guide offering a description of each plant and its origins, as well as information about propagation, culture, and pest control. In 1927, Fortunato was the first Filipino to graduate from UH, earning a bachelor’s degree in agricultural technology. He worked as a publicist for UH’s College of Tropical Agriculture for 25 years and became the voice of gardening in Hawai‘i for decades, creating and producing more than 700 radio and television programs as well as countless articles for various publications. The first run of Plants of Hawai‘i—How to Grow Them sold more than 50,000 copies before going out of print.

Perfect Pesticide Practices

Image from the Good Agricultural Practices: A Best Practices Kit for Safe, Legal, and Effective Pesticide Application in Hawai‘i kitCollaborators from PEPS, NREM, and HNFAS, along with UH Hilo and the Hawaii Department of Ag, have published Good Agricultural Practices: A Best Practices Kit for Safe, Legal, and Effective Pesticide Application in Hawai‘i. The project was spearheaded by Jim Hollyer (HNFAS), Donna Meyer, and Fred Brooks (both PEPS). The kit includes guidelines for choosing the proper spray nozzle, a checklist of responsibilities for the safe use of pesticides on farms, an example of a pesticide label, basic guidance on the use of personal protective equipment, an onsite pesticide registry log for pesticide use on various types of plants, and a pesticide application log for Hawai‘i conventional and organic farms. The kit incorporates information from the handy pesticide education wall charts, if you don’t happen to have four feet of wall space handy for the originals. It’s an invaluable guide for a variety of plant-oriented industries in Hawai‘i. Spray safely and responsibly!

No Beef With Beef

Alan Titchenal and Joannie DobbsAlan Titchenal and Joannie Dobbs (both HNFAS) share beef facts in their Health Options column for the Star Advertiser. Beef provides protein as well as iron and zinc, they explain, two vital minerals that are often lacking in many diets. Beef cattle are also an important part of Hawai‘i’s agriculture and can benefit the health of pasture lands when managed properly. Read more about beef at Alan and Joannie’s website.

Way Cool, Wekiu!

Wekiu bug scavenging a flyJesse Eiben and Dan Rubinoff (both PEPS) published “Application of Agriculture-Developed Demographic Analysis for the Conservation of the Hawaiian Alpine Wekiu Bug” in the August issue of the highly prestigious journal Conservation Biology. Jesse and Dan developed a series of laboratory experiments to study rare and difficult-to-access insects such as the wekiu bug, shown here scavenging a fly head. By studying insects in the lab, they were able to develop “life tables,” which represent population growth parameters, environmental models for wekiu bug life cycles, and demographic changes. The experiments can be used to help conservation efforts of rare insects by allowing researchers to optimize their field monitoring methods and timing. That means there are fewer potential impacts on the summit from looking for the insects at the wrong times and more efficient and cost-effective field work. Most importantly, if there are ever negative impacts to the population of the wekiu bug, researchers and land managers would be able to discover this decline faster and could predict when the bugs would likely recover. Read more about the wekiu bug at Conservation Biology.


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