Project Objectives:

This project focuses on the economic well-being of the livestock and forage production on Molokai and Lanai. The project emphases are on improving competitiveness and profitability of these industries as identified in the cooperative extension services national initiatives, including "Improving Competitiveness and Profitability of American Agriculture" and "Improving Competitiveness of American Agriculture Focused on Sustainable Agriculture."

Accomplishments:

The agent has focused a major part of this project time in the development of the Molokai Slaughterhouse by working closely with the Molokai Livestock Cooperative leadership. Co-op meetings are held monthly, but agent is in contact with board on a weekly basis. The slaughterhouse project broke ground in April 2000. The agent has assisted in fundraising and has secured over $1 million. Sources include the state legislature ($750,000), USDA ($25,000), HUD ($42,500), and U.S. Dept of Labor ($160,500). Pending funds include $200,000 from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and an additional $25,000 from USDA . Funds have also been secured for training, personnel, and operations. The development of a processing facility within the slaughter facility is integral to the success of this community-based venture. Also, a plan for alternative energy for 3 cooperatives is presently being developed.

The agent has worked with another college within UH, and also with private industry, to design an environmentally sound waste management system. The team includes Roger Babcock of the College of Engineering, Harold Nagato of Best USA, and Green Mountain Technologies of Washington State. The prototype includes a liquid waste management system involving a three-chamber septic tank that produces clean ag water that is cleared for use on certain crops, and a semi-automated composting system for solid waste. The composting system will produce amendments for nearby agricultural operations. A grant is being developed to fund a demonstration project to fine-tune the system.

The facility will include a processing room to develop value-added beef and pork products, and provide custom cutting and wrapping for the community. Through a US Dept. of Labor grant, the agent secured $85,000 in processing equipment. This facility will also be available to train personnel in meat processing and the development of value-added products.

Through coordination with co-op members and the county, land clearing was completed on the 7 acre site. Equipment donated to this effort included 2 bulldozers, loaders, hop toes, dump trucks, and graders. This in-kind effort saved the co-op over $350,000 in land clearing costs. The agent continues to work with a 140 acre alfalfa operation. Agent worked with a center pivot irrigation manufacturer to re-design a wobbler sprinkler system for the Molokai operation. This system is more wind resistant, and will increase water use efficiency. This operation is one of the largest users of water from the Molokai Irrigation System. Agent monitored alfalfa quality and weed control efforts.

Other educational assistance provided to producers include livestock management, grass species selection, soil nutrition, weed control, disease control, and swine waste management, The agent also assisted the 4-H program by providing subject matter and overseeing the 4-H livestock judging program. The agent recently joined with fellow agents as part of a statewide waste management initiative to address waste management challenges of the livestock industry.

STATE-WIDE TRANSFER OF VEGETABLE CROPS PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY
Valenzuela H

Project Objectives:

1) Provide leadership in conducting industry analysis, convene multidisciplinary groups for vegetable crops and review research projects related to industry concerns.

2) Provide leadership in conducting appropriate state-wide educational programs in vegetable crops involving specialists, county agents, and industry leaders.

3) Provide resource and technical support to county agents.

4) Conduct and coordinate state-wide applied research and demonstrations, and prepare and update extension publications.

Accomplishments:

As part of my statewide extension program I accomplished the following: Two video presentations which I prepared were broadcasted over 4 times each through state-wide cable television; gave 15 presentations including 5 presentations on AM radio in Oahu; my research and extension activities were featured three times in local newspapers (Honolulu Advertiser and Star Bulletin) and over 20 times on statewide television as part of a Faculty Union infomercial featuring "what works" at UH; reviewed 8 manuscripts/projects for CTAHR and out-of state researchers; taught 7 credits of Hort 699, independent graduate student research; Organized 4 field days to display the results of my research; provided over 30 consultations or information packages to CTAHR faculty; provided over 45 consultations or information packages to CTAHR clients; published a chapter that reviewed the use of sustainable practices to grow vegetables in the tropics; authored two refereed publications (in review) based on my research; guided two students toward the completion of their MS graduate programs; attended one national horticulture conference and one state conference in Florida, where I gave 3 presentations; was a co-PI on research to evaluate alternative sweet onion production practices in Maui; conducted 7 experiments in Oahu with eggplant, tomatoes, jicama, organic farming, and several cover crop species; participated on a 1-month USAID food security assignment in Ethiopia, and developed a WEB site (www2.hawaii.edu/~hector/) which serves as a warehouse for all the newsletters which I have published to date as well as for many of the extension publications and research reports which I have authored.

LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND PLANT MATERIALS (002)
Wong M

Project Objectives:

To raise the level of competency of clientele in regard to landscape design and tropical plant materials. Type of contemporary, japanese and tropical gardens, and exciting plant material combinations. Proper use of color in landscaping. Aesthetic native plants that can survive commercial maintenance. Elegant highway landscape design. Residential. Wind resistant plants. Exciting city and planned community landscape designs.

Accomplishments:

I regularly surveyed Kailua, Enchanted Lakes, Lanikai, Kaneohe, Kahaluu, Hawaii Kai, Niu Valley, Aina Haina, Kahala, Waikiki, Manoa, Nuuanu, Downtown, Moanalua, Salt Lake, Aiea, Newtown, Pearl City, Ewa, Waikele, Kapolei, Waianae, Mililani, Pupukea, Kahuku, Laie, Punaluu for plant adaptation problems, and good and bad landscape designs. These were recorded on slide film for landscape classes.

On February 15, 2000, I convened a meeting of Dr. R. Criley, P. Murakami, and J. Deputy of the Manoa staff of the Tropical Plant and Soil Science Department, G. Webb of the Certified Landscape Technician Program, N. Nagata of Maui County, V. Smith of Hawaii County, R. Yamakawa of Kauai County, and M. Wong of Oahu County to clarify the need for a statewide landscape education program. This meeting was especially necessary with the departure of Dr. C. Murdoch (Turf Specialist), Dr. F. Rauch (Nursery and Potted Ornamental Specialist), Dr. d. Hensley (Landscape Specialist), N. Bezona (Hawaii County Agent for Ornamental Industry), and J. Tavares (Maui County Agent for Ornamental Industry). R. Yamakawa of Kauai County was responsible for all horticultural crops and could not be expected to fill the need for lanscape classes. This meeting confirmed priority for statewide lanscape classes of past industry analysis. Manoa staff of TPSS are occupied by departmental educational requirements. Some help will come from a new Turf Specialist. Dr. R. Yost, is chair of the selection committee, and I serve on this committee. I have rewritten two lanscape projects to help with a statewide landscape program in the future.

I presented landscape design seminars to U.H. students in Horticulture 200, Urban Garden Center Master Gardeners, certified professional maintenance and management association members, Community College maintenance staff at statewide Community College conference, and Lyon Arboretum Association members at Lyon Arboretum class. I believe I have raised the standards of landscape design by my constant criticism of current landscapes in Hawaii. Future intensive statewide landscape classes will allow me to survey students for a more proper evaluation.

ORNAMENTAL PEST CONTROL AND NUTRITION (002)
Wong M

Project Objectives:

The long-range objective is to develop an ornamental industry that have up-to-date knowledge and technology, such that they can produce and maintain quality plants and landscapes in an efficient manner.

Accomplishments:

I regularly surveyed Kailua, Lanikai, Enchanted Lakes, Kaneohe, Kahaluu, Hawaii Kai, Niu Valley, aina Haina, Kahala, Waikiki, Manoa, Nuuanu, Downtown, Moanalua, Salt Lake, Aiea, Newtown, Pearl City, Ewa, Waikele, Kapolei, Waianae, Mililani, Pupukea, Kahuku, Laie, and Punaluu for insect, disease, and nutrition problems. These problems were recorded on slide film for landscape classes.

On February 15, 2000, I convened a meeting of Dr. R. Criley, P. Murakami, J. Deputy, of the Manoa staff of the Tropical Plant and Soil Science Department, G. Webb of the Certified Landscape Technician Program, N. Nagata of Maui County, V. Smith of Hawaii County, R. Yamakawa of Kauai County, and M. Wong of Oahu County to clarify the need for a statewide landscape education program. This meeting was especially necessary with the departure of Dr. C. Murdoch (Turf Specialist), Dr. F. Rauch (Nursery and Potted Ornamental specialist), Dr. D. Hensley (Landscape Specialist), N. Bezona (Hawaii County Agent for Ornamental Industry), and J. Tavares (Maui County Agent for Ornamental Industry). R. Yamakawa of Kauai County was responsible for all horticultural crops and could not be expected to fill the need for landscape classes. This meeting confirmed priority for statewide landscape classes of past industry analysis. Manoa staff of TPSS are occupied by departmental educational requirements. Some help will come from a new Turf Specialist. Dr. R. Yost chair the selection committee, and I serve on this committee. I have rewritten two landscape projects to help with a statewide landscape program in the future.

I did a radio program on ground covers and their pest and nutrition problems and the adaptation to various environmental conditions. I also did a tour of ground covers, turf, and hedges at the Urban Garden Center and a talk on landscape career opportunities to the students of Dave Ringuette's Windward Community College landscape class.

I did direct consultation with landscape architects on plant materials and their pest, nutrition and plant adaptation problems. Lester Inouye of Lester Inouye and Associates, Inc., Greg Boyer and Chris of Greg Boyer Hawaiian Landscapes, Inc., and Randal Fujimoto were regular customers. The following contractors and managers of facilities utilized my plant material and their pest problems expertise in the past fiscal year: Kevin Mulkern (licensed landscape contractor), Boyd Ready (manager of Akahi Services, Inc.,), Linden Lange and Jim Burress (FAA) with the landscape of new FAA facility at Hickam Air Force Base, Dean Ornellas of Kapolei Grounds Management, Inc., James Ranta of Agplundh Tree Expert Co., Gail Ito of Hawaii Development authority regarding Kakaako Park, Thomas Chock of Tropical Rainbows, Andrew Yee of Highway Division of Department of Transportation, D. Honjiyo of Green Thumb, and nurserymen of Oahu Nursery Growers Association.

I also served as the "Plant Doctor" at ONGA, Foster Garden, Hoomaluhia, and Lyon Arboretum plant sales.Future intensive statewide landscape classes will allow me to survey commercial landscape industry clientele for a more proper evaluation.

IMPROVED CULTURAL MANAGEMENT OF ORNAMENTAL, NURSERY, LANDSCAPE AND TURF COMMODITIES
Yamakawa R, Criley R, Hirano R, Paull R, Hara A, Hashimoto C, Sato D, Moy J, Sekioka T

Project Objectives:

Develop premium quality markets for Kauai tropical ornamental growers; produce marketing brochure and educate growers on gift box marketing. Provide cut flower growers with cultivars to meet demand and give Hawaii an advantage over its competitors. Provide nursery and landscape clientele with suitable cultivars for potted plant and landscape purposes. Develop and disseminate integrated pest management techniques and technology as alternatives and provide growers with pest control education.

Provide growers with alternative pest disinfestation technology and procedures to meet governmental requirements, extend shelf-life, and have minimal adverse effects on the environment, and are economical.

Provide educational support for the ornamental industry and provide the landscape and nursery industry with suitable cultivars of tropical flowering plants.

Accomplishments:

1. Advise, coordinate and maintain (service) the Hawaii Tropical Flowers and Foliage Association (HTFFA)-Kauai Chapter, and Kauai Anthurium Association (KAA) organization and their respective constituent flower growers.

2. Conduct in-field cooperator trials with 22 cooperators to test and assess commercial production and vase-life of tropical flower accessions.

3. Released 94 tropical flower accessions statewide via UH-ADSC, including 80 Heliconia spp., 8 Costus spp., 3 Calathea spp., 2 Zingiberales spp. and 1 Stromanthes sp.

4. Named and released 2 Heliconia orthotricha cultivars (`Garden Island Fuzzy Pink'and `Kauai Treasure') for commercial production to HTFFA-Kauai Chapter, for statewide sale and production.

5. Provide total of 1728 clientele contact services.

VEGETABLE, MELON AND TARO CROPS
Yamakawa R, Valenzuela H, Evensen C

Project Objectives:

1) Educate Kauai taro growers of water quality regulations, monitor taro production impacts on water quality, and demonstrate in-field practices to mitigate degradation.

2) Provide growers with information, technology and support to make proper site and crop selection within marketing expectations and limitations, and to adapt cultural practices to mitigate short and long term problems.

Accomplishments:

1. Completed 4 in-field cooperator taro experimental nutritional trials comparing farmer vs. CTAHR fertilization practices.

2. Currently conducting 4 new experimental in-field taro trials with cooperators; 3 nutritional trials to determine optimum levels of Ca, K and P, and 1 trial to test treatments against soft rot, pocket rot and leaf blight.

3. Introduction of 7 new taro cultivars.

4. Conducted 6 intensive soil/nutritional workshops with taro growers.

5. Total of 1376 clientele contacts.

6. Introduction of UH sweet basil.