Sea cucumbers are a high-value commercial food, and the demand for local seafood is rising. But so are extreme climatic events that can rapidly change water conditions, especially in coastal environments that include the traditional Hawaiian fishponds where sea cucumbers are grown and harvested.

Long after they’ve wilted and returned to the earth, flowers grown by Extension agents at the Urban Garden Center will live on in the memories, education, and overall development of Oʻahu youths. Originally grown to brighten the décor at the CTAHR Ohana Banquet, as well as brighten spirits at the Hawaiʻi Dept. of Health, the harvested flowers also went toward teaching students at Pearl City High School how to make arrangements using locally available flowers. PCHS teachers and students also made floral arrangements to give to school administrators during Admin Professional Week.

The recent UH drive to support the Hawaiʻi Foodbank brought in almost $70K, and CTAHR led the way in total pounds of food donated at a whopping 2,488 pounds – by far and away the most from any college or school in the UH system.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 9, because the Urban Garden Center is once again holding educational workshops for the public, this time on orchids and composting. Can’t wait? Guests are welcome to arrive early for a guided tour of the Honolulu Rose Society gardens beginning at 9 am, visit the Master Gardeners’ “Got a Plant Question?” booth, and check out the interesting “Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle” display.

Native Hawaiian and Filipino breast cancer survivors are being sought to share their strategies that support a healthy lifestyle. The study, TANICA (Traditional and New Lifestyle Interventions for Breast Cancer Prevention), is being conducted by CTAHR and University of Guam, as a U54 Pacific Island Partnership for Cancer Health Equity (PIPCHE) pre-pilot project.