Dept. of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences Research and Extension

To assist farmers by developing their leadership skills to identify, develop plans, and implement plans that will improve the conditions of their external economies, and to develop and transfer production technologies to clients, enabling them to increase their farm efficiency and competitiveness.

1. Worked with taro farmers on Molokai in addressing the shortage of taro planting materials needed to increase dry land taro production.

2. Demonstrated sub-surface irrigation as an alternative to sprinkler irrigation in sweet potato production.

4. Submitted grant to conduct farm operation and management training for 7-10 Hawaiian Homestead families.

Increase the production of diversified agriculture commodities by farming entrepreneurs on Lanai. Communities in economic transition objectives:

1) Communities will analyze their economic base and implement strategic economic development planning.

2) Communities will enhance ability to support job creation and enterprise development.

3) Existing businesses and small industries will improve their competitiveness, profitability, and marketing capabilities.

1. The formal USDA-Moloka'i Enterprise Community agreement was executed on August 11, 1999. EC designation entitles Moloka'i to an annual USDA grant of $250,000 each year for 10 years, as well as certain tax credits, special bond eligibility, and preference points for earmarked federal grants.

2. The all-volunteer Ke Aupuni Lokahi (EC) board contracted with the Moloka'i Community Service Council to provide fiscal, programmatic, and administrative support for the Enterprise Community. MCSC will receive 15% administrative fee from the USDA annual grant for their services.

3. A 2-year work plan was adopted by Ke Aupuni Lokahi in November 1999. The board prioritized 16 projects to be implemented over the next 2 years.

4. A total of $185,000 had been newly pledged by outside funders for the implementation of the EC plan.

5. Over the past year, a total of $306,831 has been leveraged for EC administration.

6. Over the past year, partnerships have been established with 29 different entities, including federal, state, and county governments, as well as private businesses, charitable foundations, and individual donors.

7. To date, a total of 62.5 new full-time jobs have been created on Moloka'i as a result of the island's EC designation. Majority of these jobs will be sustainable.

DEMONSTRATION OF MULTICROPPING SYSTEM IN ESTABLISHING AND PRODUCING NATIVE TREES
Arakaki A, Arce R

1. To demonstrate the utilization multi-cropping system of establishing agroforestry production of native trees.

2. To educate clientele on the value of planting endemic and indigenous trees, by conducting annual field day, workshop and publication of a brochure and field signage for self tour.

3. To address concerns of land owners, Hawaiian homesteaders, of the long-term establishment period in agroforestry production.

1. Conducted field demonstration and field day on multi-cropping system of native trees and understory crops and collect growth data on native trees.

2. Conducted demonstration on alternative producing alternative understory cash crops.

Long-range goals - Molokai's Hawaiian homestead farmers will be provided both educational and farm training opportunities to improve knowledge and skills in both agricultural production and a commercial business. Also, farmers will learn to develop viable production/marketing options in order to provide optimal returns of both subsistence and a commercial agricultural business. Accomplishments:

1. Provide technical assistance and educational information to Hawaiian Homesteaders and youth

2. Participated in DHHL Agricultural Task Force meetings and community meetings to finalize recommendations for DHHL ag. land usage

3. Worked with QLCC and OHA's Native Plant Growers program, Ho'oulu Mea Kanu in a budget to obtain funding to continue the program, and for growing infrastructures

5. Held six native plants transplanting activities with Kaunakakai Elem., Kualapuu Elem. Hawaiian Immersion, Molokai High School Hawaiian Immersion 7th grade and Earth Preservation Club, and Maunaloa Elem. schools

7. Worked with Hui Laulima Cooperative composed of Hawaiian homesteaders on development of a kulolo processing line and develop two grants

9. Worked on implementing waste management practices using Best USA & CTAHR Animal Scientists and to facilitate funding for the Molokai Slaughterhouse; $43.00 and $55,500 was received from HUD and US Dept. of Labor respectively

11. Coordinated with other agents and Doug Hamasaki in the making of a CES/DHHL Education Program video

12. Held a field visit for Taro Workshop participants to the RREA funded Multi Cropping with Native Trees project

14. Hired a 4-H Rural Expansion staff person for Molokai; a Hawaiian homesteader

15. Coordinate with Joan Chong the Molokai logisitics for the State 4-H Extension On Line and Urban/Rural Expansion Training Program for CTAHR staff and site facilitators

17. Assisted 4-H leaders with twoa day Molokai 4-H Livestock Program and held a 4-H membership drive

18. Assisted coordination of the Molokai 4-H clubs' shipping out of 4-H animals to a Honolulu slaughterhouse

19. Implement a SARE's funded project at Molokai Research and Demo. Farm to evaluate the effectiveness of three cover crops towards Root Knot nematodes in vegetable crop production with Dr. Brent Sipes assisting in the egg counts of the Root Knot nematode

20. Continued maintenance and monitoring of the RREA funded Multi Cropping System of Native Trees project

SUSTAINABLE FRUIT (MACADAMIA AND COFFEE INDUSTRIES): ISSUES, DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION
Bittenbender H, Yahata P

4) To create materials for extension agents and the industry which aid the adoption of technology.

• First major revision of CTAHR's coffee extension bulletin since 1955 was published, co-authored with V. Easton Smith. To date 334 copies have been sold, public price is $5. Work is underway with K. Kobayashi, S. Campbell to put this bulletin with over 70 illustrations on the CTAHR website under the Farmer's Bookshelf.

• Participating with HARC on it coffee breeding program to develop better quality and higher yield varieties for Hawaii.

• Participating with HARC and Catherine Cavaletto on quality evaluation project, and recruited a student for the project. Second year mechanized harvesting completed of a multi-year, three island on-farm experiment to develop 100 % mechanized pruning strategies.

• Co-PI in a TSTAR coffee project (N. Hue (TPPS) D. Schmitt (PEPS) that began in 1999 dealing nematodes and problem soils. Made presentations at HI Coffee Assn annual meeting.

• Continued as editor of the Proceedings of HI Coffee Assn.

• Conducted 2 1-day strategic planning sessions to identify and prioritize issues facing the coffee industry.

• The Specialty Coffee Institute of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCI/SCAA) invited me as part of a team of CTAHR and HARC scientists to join SCI in proposing a project to the Agency for International Development (USAID). Project is to improve the production of high quality coffee and the price paid to small farmers. Our involvement generate technology the would be available to HI growers.

• Facilitated three meetings between CTAHR Adm., pathologists, ADSC, and Kona station personnel to develop CTAHR's response to growing need to replant the Kona coffee industry with CTAHR-identified nematode tolerant rootstocks. A program should be in place by the end of FY 01.

• Made 2 presentations at Hawaii 'Awa Council educational programs and participated in several board meetings and 2 day strategic planning conducted by CTAHR's D. Ching.

• Presented a departmental seminar, 'Hawaii's 'Awa Renaissance', and demonstrated a new presentation technique. Using a digital camera as a light-weight, low cost substitute for a notebook computer to present PowerPoint presentations via TV monitor or LCD projector.

• Working M. Kawate (PEPS) to have kava defined as a root crop by EPA for pesticide registration.

• Maintain regular email communication with a UH(not only CTAHR)-based group of faculty interested in kava.

• Won a TSTAR grant - 'Quantifying and environmental factors for increasing kavalactones in kava' with CS Tang (MBBE) and M Jackson (HARC). Field production started 9/00.

• Working with S. Campbell and S. Nelson to establish kava 'book' on the 'Farmer's Bookshelf,' on CTAHR's website.

• Working with local a kava cafΘ to improve beverage extraction and include Hawaii-grown kava.