Feral pigs are a conundrum: nonnative and invasive throughout much of the world, they negatively impact ecosystems. Yet they are culturally important, and they serve as wild game for subsistence and recreational hunting. A common management approach for feral pigs in Hawai‘i is to fence areas of high conservation value, remove the resident animals, and keep them out while allowing them to roam the surrounding forest. The impact of pigs’ removal on the structure and function of Hawai‘i’s native-dominated wet forests is a topic of interest to CTAHR researchers.

Saudi Arabia isn’t a big cattle-producing country. This is in large part because it’s difficult to grow enough of the right kinds of forage for them in the country’s arid conditions. Molecular Bioscience and Bioengineering grad student Ahmed Bageel is looking to change that, and his research into Leucaena earned Ahmed the award for best oral presentation at the 7th International Conference on Sustainable Environment and Agriculture. 

CTAHR’s beginning farmer-training program GoFarm Hawai‘i is teaming up with the Culinary Breeding Network to present the second annual Variety Showcase. Hosted by the Kapi’olani Community College Culinary Arts Program in collaboration with CTAHR, Hawaiian Seed Growers Network, and Farm Link Hawaii, it will feature unique and in-development fruits, vegetables, grains, and animal products along with traditional favorites, presented by those who grow them.

CTAHR recently took its 16th annual Meaningful Experience Trip to the island of Kaua‘i, when 18 student ambassadors and three ASAO staff headed out for their jam-packed trip on Saturday morning and returned late Sunday evening. The intrepid group toured and helped out at farms, met Extension agents, did trail and beach cleanup, and volunteered at the Humane Society! This is the sort of trip memories are made of! 

Welcome to Jia-Wei Tay, a new assistant professor of urban entomology in PEPS! Her research is in the biology and management of invasive species, especially insect pests adapted to the urban environment. She hopes to figure out environmentally friendly alternatives to control target pest without impacting beneficial non-target organisms and the larger ecosystem.