by Jari Sugano
Please join me in congratulating Waimānalo Farm Manager Roger Corrales, who retired Feb. 1 after 32 years of service to CTAHR.
Roger started with CTAHR in 1990 as an Agricultural Technician III and within a few years was promoted to Agricultural Technician IV, then Farm Manager in 1992. Roger oversaw and managed 128 acres of prime agricultural land at Waimānalo Research Station (WRS) and the adjoining 281 acres above WRS, the Meadow Gold property. Roger provided training and mentoring opportunities for WRS and Waialee agricultural technicians. He helped many faculty, including myself, advance up the ranks with research-generated information developed at WRS.
Roger values relationships built and has an innate desire to help people achieve their professional and personal goals.
WRS is CTAHR’s R1 research station and home to many award-winning research and Extension projects, such as Dr. Brewbaker’s corn breeding work, sustainable and organic agriculture, ornamental floral and nursery crops, tropical seed production, minor crop pesticide registration, gecko research, high-tunnel screenhouses, 4-H, aquaponics, honey bees, papaya research, community outreach, new and beginning farmer education, etc. At one time, WRS had 12 agricultural technicians, under the farm manager position. Today, it hosts more than two dozen plot allocations annually, with a crew of four.
Dr. Richard Manshardt says, “Congratulations, Roger! I want to add my personal thanks for your friendship and willingness to do whatever needed to be done at the moment. Hope to see you in the field occasionally to catch up on news of the ʻohana. Hana hou!”
Julie Coughlin of the IR-4 Minor Crop Registration Program writes, “Congratulations Roger! Wishing you health and happiness in your retirement. I sincerely appreciate your friendship, support, and encouragement throughout the years.”
Mahalo Roger for your dedication, service and shared commitment to the faculty, staff, volunteers and students who work to advance the mission of UHM and CTAHR. Thanks for making Waimanalo Research Station what it is today.