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CTAHR Alumni & Friends

Issue 54   |   October 03, 2016   |   Archive   |   Subscribe

News & Events

Take Control of Your Weeds

Purple nutsedgeJoe DeFrank (TPSS) will be giving a talk on weed control for the East O‘ahu County Farm Bureau on Tuesday, October 4, from 6 to 8 p.m., in the Kane‘ohe Extension conference room. He will discuss web-based resources for weed, insect, and disease ID and pest control recommendations; herbicide options for banana, papaya, and selected vegetable crops; topical application of systemic herbicides in row crops; management options for purple nutsedge (pictured); geotextile fabrics used for weed control with light exclusion; and new concepts for no-till organic farming. Participants with HDOA pesticide applicator registration cards will receive 2 CEU credits for Private 1, Commercial 1a and 10. The designated class number is 1525. Light refreshments will be provided. The monthly meeting of the East Oahu County Farm Bureau will follow the seminar. Be there or be weedy!

Spotlight on Our Community

Peaceful People

Peace Day celebration at Urban Garden CenterPearl City Urban Garden hosted the recent Peace Day celebration, in which the O‘ahu Master Gardeners and FCE also participated. AD for Extension Kelvin Sewake, along with O‘ahu county administrator Ray Uchida, UGC director Steve Nagano, and junior Extension agent Kalani Matsumura were acknowledged for their participation. At the event, Roy Sakuma, selected Distinguished Peacemaker in 2014, was also honored for his work with speaking to thousands of elementary, middle, and high school students. He gave an excellent talk and gave away an ukulele to fifth-grader Grayson Barnhill, Honorable Mention for the 2015 Association of Conflict Resolution Keiki Poetry Contest.

Giving Back with Macs

Marisol Quintanilla at HAASMarisol Quintanilla recently gave a class to special-needs high school students at Pahoa’s Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science. The class was designed to help them manage their macadamia nut operation, assist them with pest identification, and provide them with soil nutrient analysis advice. The students grow the crop, process the nuts, sell them, and receive a payment check derived from part of the profit. Marisol was able to identify the problem they were having with the trees and provide the solution. She says, “It was really exciting to help such eager students and workers with their farming operation!”

New Faces: Ted Feitshans

Ted FeitshansTheodore A. (Ted) Feitshans began serving as Hawai‘i County administrator on September 1. He received his BS in Animal Science from Cornell University, his MS in Agricultural and Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota, and his JD from Georgetown University Law Center. Prior to joining CTAHR, he taught courses in agricultural law and environmental law in the undergraduate program in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ARE) at North Carolina State University, where he served in both the undergraduate teaching program and the Cooperative Extension program. From 2005, he served as the founding director of ARE’s distance education program. He has been a frequent presenter at American Agricultural Law Association (AALA) annual conferences and is a past president of the AALA. He is the recipient of many awards, including the American Agricultural Law Association 2015 Excellence in Agricultural Law Award for legal scholarship, a 2006 AAEA Distinguished Extension Program Award (team award), and a 2008 NC State Outstanding Teacher designation. He also received a 2014 Outstanding Subject Matter Program Award from the NC Association of Cooperative Extension Specialists. Welcome to the college, Ted!

Ice Cream Dreamin’

CTAHR Ice Cream Bash contestants 2016At CTAHR’s 28th Annual Welcome Back Ice Cream Bash, representatives from the college’s departments and administration vied for top honors in the costume and ice cream-eating contests. This year’s contests were Jeff Goodwin (FCS), Jenee Odani (HNFAS), Michael Espiritu (MBBE), Tim Zhu (NREM), Brad Reil (PEPS), and Chad Goldstein/Kealoha Moody (Admin). Congratulations to the moonshine-totin’ hillbilly Brad Reil for winning the costume contest and baseball player Jenee Odani for downing her ice cream in record time, and pluckily recovering after a spill during the three-legged race! Then CTAHR students, faculty, and staff enjoyed free ice cream generously donated by Meadow Gold and donated to the NREM GSO, which provides grad students with opportunities to connect with NREM faculty, local non-profits, community groups and schools, professionals in the industry, and other grad students. Thanks to all who attended the bash, the contestants, and those who donated. Big mahalos go out to Meadow Gold for its continued support, Joannie Dobbs and NREM for the use of their facility, Ray Uchida (O‘ahu Extension) and Richard Fisher and Angelito Cacho (UGC) for tent coverage, and the intrepid ice cream scoopers. Also, thanks go to co-emcees Brandon Ngao and Sheldon Arakawa, ‘Olana Chow of the planning committee, the scholarship recipients, ASAO, SAPFB, and everyone whose efforts made the Bash a huge success!

Go Away, Gorilla Ogo!

Students with gorilla ogoAs a service-learning project, students from NREM/PEPS 210 Introduction to Environmental Science, led by Brent Sipes, gathered invasive gorilla ogo (Gracilaria salicornia) from Kane‘ohe Bay on a Saturday morning. The students collected 500 lbs of the invasive seaweed, which can also be composted to make a great soil amendment. The seaweed density was noticeably less this year, which suggests progress is being made in controlling gorilla ogo—in part because of the tireless work of these classes!

At Home With the Animals on Maui

Kyle Caires with bullWelcome to the newest member of the HNFAS faculty on Maui, Kyle Caires! Hawai‘i-born Kyle hails most recently from Berry College in Georgia, where he was an associate professor in the Department of Animal Sciences. He earned his BS in Animal Science at Oregon State University, and both his Masters and PhD, also in Animal Science (reproductive physiology and stem cell biology) from Washington State University. Kyle has earned numerous research grants and published many publications, and he has extensive Extension experience. The college is fortunate to have him! You can welcome Kyle to the CTAHR ‘ohana by emailing him at cairesk@ctahr.hawaii.edu, or feel free to drop by the next time you’re on Maui! Welcome, Kyle!

The Right Prescription for Growers

Alyssa Cho giving tissue sample presentationCTAHR faculty conducted a successful workshop for growers on September 15 called “The Plant and Soil Doctor Is In! A workshop on soil health, and soil and plant tissue sampling for nutrients and pests.” Alyssa Cho showed how to collect tissue samples for nutrient analysis, Brian Bushe explained how to collect and submit samples for pest and disease identification and demonstrated common plant pest and diseases in Hawai‘i, and Marisol Quintanilla presented on the topic of “Soil Health, Cover Crops, and Nematodes” and also laid out the steps for collecting soil samples for nutrient analysis. The 45 attendees had an enjoyable and very informative time!

Landscape MD Is “Cool”!

Image for Landscape MDA laudatory article in the Star-Advertiser discusses the new Landscape MD app that helps home gardeners and landscapers diagnose common diseases and pests on a variety of vegetables, ornamentals, and fruit and nut tress. The article mentions makers of the app Scot Nelson (TPSS), Arnold Hara (PEPS Emeritus), and Ruth Niino-DuPont (PEPS) and also describes some other apps Scot created or collaborated on, such as Leaf Doctor and Pic-a-Papaya. As Scot, who was interviewed for the article, points out, apps like this are also helpful for Master Gardeners, who then help other members of the public.

Hospitality and Information

Komohana team with Rep. Tulsi GabbardCTAHRites met with US Rep. Tulsi Gabbard at Komohana Station on August 29, providing presentations on CTAHR’s Extension programs and research trials. Associate Dean for Extension Kelvin Sewake offered a warm welcome and information about the college and what Extension does, then Susan Miysaska, Alyssa Cho, Joanne Lichty, and Ruth Niino-DuPonte did an interactive sharing of products being researched, including sweetpotato and macadamia nut varieties, anthurium varieties, and invasive insects. Farm tours throughout the day educated her on floriculture issues with quarantine and biosecurity, CBB in coffee, and mac nut insect problems. Field presentations were given by Raymond Carruthers, Alyssa, Andrea Kawabata, and Mark Wright, along with USDA-PBARC researchers and DOA staff, to discuss such important issues as the ongoing efforts to control and combat invasive species like rapid ‘ohi‘a death, the coffee berry borer, and more. Rep. Gabbard got food for thought—and some tasty samples, too.

Dine and Learn!

CTAHRites with sweetpotatoes at TasteThe 21st Annual Mealani’s Taste of the Hawaiian Range was held at the Hilton Waikoloa. This year it was dedicated to the memory of Milton Yamasaki, former farm manager at the Mealani Station and a founder of the Taste, who passed away earlier this year. The event featured 29 chefs preparing locally raised meats, fruits, and vegetables, and lots of useful information. Extension vet Jenee Odani (HNFAS) educated attendees on farm food safety practices, government guidelines, and tasty beef and pork dishes. The new Hawai‘i County administrator Ted Feitshans was there meeting stakeholders (and steak holders). Corie Yanger (NREM) provided information on Rapid ‘Ohi‘a Death and how to prevent its spread. Sharon Motomura Wages (TPSS, l) showed a video on preparing a healthy and great-tasting sweetpotato salad. Susan Miyasaka (TPSS, m) provided three different sweetpotato varieties to taste. Kiersten Akahoshi (TPSS) displayed vegetables produced by Hawaiian Homelands farmers. Jana Bryan and Thais DaRosa represented the East Hawaii Island Master Gardeners, expertly fielding queries about LFA, fruit fly traps, and more. Patricia Andrade Stout and her daughter Leiana represented the 4-H program, providing families with information. Pictured (r) is Oriana Rueda-Kraus (NREM). Attendees were filled with ‘ono foods and info!

Organic in Africa

Ted Radovich teaching in SenegalTed Radovich (TPSS) recently joined the growing number of CTAHR faculty who have volunteered for the USAID-funded John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer Program through Winrock International. Ted spent three weeks this August in Mboro, Senegal, to train and build the capacity of the International Center for Practical Training of Mboro faculty to develop a syllabus, training modules, and teaching methods on vegetable production—including aspects of organic and agroecological farming. Topics addressed included plant and soil management, ecological services, and pest management using organic methods. Because of the area’s high water table, Mboro is a major vegetable-producing region supplying fresh produce including cabbage, eggplant, sweetpotatoes, and peppers to the urban sprawl of Dakar, Senegal’s capital. Find out more information about the Farmer-to-Farmer program or other Winrock volunteer opportunities here!

How Dry Is Dry Enough?

Presentation on calibrating coffee moisture-sensing equipmentAndrea Kawabata and Jen Burt (TPSS, Extension) partnered with Gary Strawn (pictured) of the Kona Coffee Council for a hands-on workshop that provided coffee farmers with an opportunity to properly calibrate their moisture meters with parchment of known moisture content. Hawai‘i’s state coffee standards require green coffee to have a 9–12% moisture content. If coffee is improperly dried or tested, it can lead to rejection, as well as to quality issues such as susceptibility to mold and pests. During this workshop, coffee growers learned to fine-tune their coffee-drying techniques and learned when, why, and how to test the moisture of their dried coffee samples. Some coffee farmers use the “bite test” or their nails to see how hard their green coffee is: if the coffee gives under tooth or nail pressure, it needs more time to dry. Unfortunately, these methods aren’t nearly as accurate or consistent in determining parchment or green coffee moisture content as using a properly calibrated moisture meter. The event was so popular that another workshop was added for October!

HPR Loves CTAHR

Jason Graham on HPRWill Haines, who is maintaining his affiliation with PEPS while now managing a new insectary for the DLNR, and Jason Graham (PEPS, pictured) shared their work on re-establishing native Kamehameha butterflies and yellow-faced bees on Hawaii Public Radio’s Bytemark Cafe talk show. Listen to them here, about 20 minutes into the interview. Also recently featured on HPR was Steven Chiang, director of the GoFarm Hawai‘i program, discussing the program’s recent expansion to the Big Island’s Kohala Center to help train even more beginning farmers in the Islands.

Fired Up About Prevention

Hill on fireClay Trauernicht (NREM) is featured in a recent article in the Maui News about a field tour he and members of the Pacific Fire Exchange did to discuss the impacts of an extensive wildland fire that burned Kahikinui Homestead this past February. Clay pointed out that around the state, brush fires are posing an increasingly higher risk since flourishing nonnative grasses and declining ranching operations have left fields unmanaged and susceptible to fires—in the last three decades or so, the amount of area burned statewide has increased by 400 percent. He also commented that while fire season is a predictable time of year, on the Mainland, large wildfires can happen year round in Hawai‘i. He explained that bringing livestock in to eat up the grasses that pose a risk can be “a really useful tool for fire suppression,” emphasizing that prevention of all sorts is “always cheaper in the long run” than dealing with the aftermath of a raging wildland fire.

Off on an Exciting Agventure

Marisol Quintanilla-Tornel, Master Gardener, and studentsBecky Settlage of East Hawai‘i 4-H organized a first-time event in Waimea called “Agventure” designed to expose fourth-graders to the wide world of agriculture, so that when they dream of their future, they include farming, ranching, food science, entomology, and more in the list of possibilities. Participating organizations included CTAHR, NRCS, the Honeybee Company and PBARC (Pacific Basin Agriculture Research Center) as well as many others. Activities offered to students were diverse, everything from roping with a lariat to hydroponics to extracting the DNA of strawberries and papayas. Master Gardeners three Master Gardeners, Deb Scrivens, Shin Matayoshi, and Nino Bachar, joined Master Gardener and Extension agent Marisol Quintanilla-Tornel to cover how plants grow, how to plant and raise a papaya, and an overview of “good” and “bad” insects. A very good time was had by all! The next Agventure is scheduled in Hilo on October 21.

New Faces: Jenee Odani

Jenee OdaniExtension veterinarian Jenee Odani was born and raised on Maui and first attended UHM for 2 years before graduating from the University of Washington. She earned her DVM from UC-Davis and is board certified in Anatomic Pathology. She worked for HDOA for 9 years in the Veterinary Laboratory. Now at CTAHR, she’s an associate specialist in statewide veterinary Extension and teaches Anatomy of Domestic Animals. She’s interested in all domestic species (except that she has an aversion to amphibians!), diagnostic tests for diseases, regulatory medicine, and outreach. With an 11-year-old son, she says she’s a true baseball and soccer mom. Welcome to the college, Jenee! (Photo courtesy of Midweek Magazine, which featured Jenee in a cover story a few years back.)

New Faces: Jeff Goodwin

Jeff GoodwinJeff Goodwin, FCS associate specialist and state 4-H coordinator, comes to CTAHR with an extensive background in Cooperative Extension. He is excited to bring important youth development and 4-H STEM programming, with program evaluation, marketing, and volunteer leadership development, to the Hawai‘i 4-H program. Jeff received his BS in Animal Science and MS in Agriculture at West Texas State University and his Ph.D. in Ag Education at Texas A&M. He worked as a county Extension agent in agriculture in the Texas Ag Extension System before moving to the University of Idaho as a state 4-H specialist working in the areas of horse, livestock, and shooting sports. For the last 12 years Jeff has served as the state 4-H director at Colorado State University. He’s has spoken to more than 50,000 people in the U.S. and Canada on topics such as appropriate use of animals in agriculture, livestock show ethics, and leadership development and has produced eight educational videos on these topics, which have been in use nationwide for more than 20 years. Howdy, Jeff!!

New Faces: Andre Seale

Andre SealeFormerly at the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology at Coconut Island, aquaculture specialist Andre Seale has research interests in the neuroendocrine system, environmental adaptation, growth, metabolism, and stress in fish, especially Mozambique tilapia. He has a PhD in Zoology from UH and a double-major BS in Marine Science and Biology from the University of Miami. He has participated in numerous scientific and photographic expeditions to tropical islands and atolls where he engages in surveying and monitoring marine life. He’s also an avid underwater photographer who has caught breathtaking pictures in Brazil, Australia, South Korea, Florida, and Hawai‘i. His images have been featured in hundreds of publications in over 50 countries, and he had a winning entry at the 2006 Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Welcome to dry land at CTAHR!

Bittersweet Farm Fair on Kaua‘i

Kaua‘i Farm Fair honoring Matt StevensonFrom the opening ceremony to the final cleanup, CTAHR played a major role in the success of the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau Fair that took place August 25–28 in Lihu‘e. The entire Fair was dedicated to the memory of Mathew Stevenson, Kaua‘i’s former livestock Extension agent, who was also active in the 4-H livestock programs both on Kaua‘i and statewide. A brief memorial for Matt was held at the opening of the fair. Then the four days of “Family, Farming, Food and Fun” featured an array of CTAHR-organized activities, including presentations by junior Extension agent Joshua Silva and the Master Gardeners, a fruit and vegetable show with entries judged by junior Extension agent Kathryn Fiedler, a petting zoo and livestock 4-H activities organized by Laura Kawamura (FCS), and a fruit fly information booth staffed by Richard Ebesu (PEPS). As always, the farm crew from the Kaua‘i Agricultural Research Center, Frank Matsuno, Lou Nishida Jr., Randy Yamamoto, and Michael Carle, played a major role in building out (and taking down….) structural components to make the fair function smoothly. CTAHR is largely responsible for keeping farming in focus during the Farm Fair, and continues a long and strong partnership with the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau supporting agriculture on the Garden Island. Photo courtesy of Sen. Ron Kouchi.

LFA, Go Away

Grant using sprayerTwo Little Fire Ant (LFA) workshops were held at the Kona Cooperative Extension Service office. CTAHR faculty and staff assisting with the workshop were Andrea Kawabata, Alyssa Cho, and Jen Burt, along with Heather Forester and Kiyoshi Adachi of the Hawaii Ant Lab (HAL), Grant Kow (pictured) and Kamran Fujimoto from HDOA, and Glenn Sako of Hawai‘i County R&D. The workshop included an overview presentation on LFA by Heather, a hands-on LFA survey at the research station with Andrea and Alyssa, and a mixing and treatment application demonstration (for small- and large-scale properties) by Kiyoshi, Kamran, and Grant. There has been an increase in confirmed cases of LFA infestations on farms and residential properties in West Hawai‘i. This was a great opportunity for farmers to become informed and to gain a better understanding of the importance of prevention and sampling and the proper use of applicators and LFA barrier and bait treatment products. A new voucher program will be available soon to continue educating Hawai‘i residents about LFA and aid them in purchasing LFA bait products.

Fibermorphic

2016 Fibermorphic Fashion Show picCTAHR alumnae were instrumental in FIBERMORPHIC, the 2nd Wearable Art Fashion Show, which was presented at the Honolulu Museum of Art School as part of this year’s opening reception of Hawaii Craftsmen’s biennial Fiber Hawaii Art Exhibition. Artists and designers were inspired to create fashions that are unique works of wearable art, utilizing a variety of fiber processes and techniques. The fashion show director was Tanyah Tavorn (pictured, left), and the makeup and art manager was Jade Rabut. The show was fibertastic!

New Publications

About the Kupuna

Image from Demographic Profile of HawaiiJenjira Yahirun and Hua Zan (both COF) have produced a demographic profile report on Hawai‘i’s older adults, which presents a snapshot of the older population in Hawai‘i, including their population share and population projections for the future, their racial and ethnic diversity, their family and household characteristics, and their socioeconomic status in Hawai‘i. Jenjira and Hua explain that older adults in Hawai‘i face a number of unique challenges, such as high housing costs and a dearth of affordable long-term care services, but they also have stronger family networks and longer life expectancies than older adults in other parts of the US. Jenjira is a family sociologist and social demographer whose research focuses on the intersection of intergenerational relationships, aging, health and migration, while Hua is a family economist who researches economics of health behaviors, health care use and expenditures, and health-related family decision-making.The profile can be downloaded from the COF website.

Eat Healthy…Whatever That Means

Student eating appleJinan Banna (HNFAS), with other UH and international researchers, just published an article entitled “Cross-cultural comparison of perspectives on healthy eating among Chinese and American undergraduate students” in the journal BMC Public Health. The study describes perspectives on healthy eating among Chinese and American young adults and identifies similarities and differences between these groups using data that Jinan collected from students at UH and Hunan Agricultural University. American students saw healthy eating as balancing food groups and balancing consumption with exercise. Physical activity was considered essential. They also stated that food components such as sugar, salt, and fat should be avoided in large quantities. Chinese students mentioned physical outcomes, such as maintaining immunity and digestive health. They emphasized timing of eating, with regular meals and greater intake during the day than at night. Similarities included principles such as moderation and the understanding that fruits and vegetables are nutritious. Differences included foods to be restricted and meal timing. Greater knowledge of the ways healthy eating is viewed will allow for development of interventions that are sensitive to the traditional values and predominant views of health in various groups.

Protect the Parks Protecting the Wildlife

Megan BarnesMegan Barnes (NREM) is lead author of an international study just published in the journal Nature Communications that found that most protected areas around the world, most notably in wealthier, more developed countries, are successfully safeguarding wildlife. This suggests the continued need for adequate support of these parks, she explains: “National parks are the cornerstone of most country’s conservation plans, so it’s essential they work as well as possible.” The study, “Wildlife population trends in protected areas predicted by national socio-economic metrics and body size,” is the largest investigation of wildlife trends in protected areas to date. It discovered that socio-economic conditions of the countries in which the protected areas were located were far more important in influencing the success of parks than often-cited factors such as protected area size, design, or type. The study highlights the need for effective management of parks and suggests that it is not sufficient only to create new parks to increase the area under conservation.


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