Maui 4-H students got to show how well they can deal with a disaster at the final simulation event for the My PI Hawai‘i Disaster Preparedness program on April 16. More than 160 youth from Baldwin High School CTE and JROTC programs participated in the 12-week program, developed by Maui County 4-H and youth development agent Nancy Ooki.

Forestry leaders from across the Pacific Islands for a workshop at UHM’s East-West Center co-hosted by the Pacific Islands Forestry Committee (PIFC) and the USDA Forest Service. CTAHR faculty and staff gave a number of workshops and talks on topics relevant to resource management and forest health here in Hawai‘i and throughout the rest of the Pacific. 

Ornamental ginger crops are dying off on O‘ahu, but there’s no clear reason why—or rather, no single cause. At least six producers have asked CTAHR experts for help, but no common denominator has yet been found. The problem has been going on for about five years now, and researchers and producers are asking the Legislature for funding to research causes of the dieback. 

‘Olena has anti-inflammatory and other health benefits, and it’s a growing new local crop. The ‘Olena (Turmeric) Field Day this past weekend taught participants about research trials and innovative production practices being conducted around Hawai‘i, after which they got to take home some organically grown turmeric to use or plant.

Pomai Weigert of CTAHR’s GoFarm Hawai‘i has been selected by Pacific Business News as one of the “40 under 40” for 2019! The award recognizes young business professionals in Hawai‘i who demonstrate business excellence, contribute to the overall success of their organizations, stand out amongst colleagues and peers, and have strong community involvement.

JB Friday (NREM) joined Marian Chau of the Lyon Arboretum, Lisa Keith of USDA ARS, and Kumu Kehaulani Kekua of Kaua‘i for in-depth interviews about Rapid ‘Ohi‘a Death on the PBS program Insights. The experts explained the recently discovered pathogens that cause it and how it is spread by burrowing ambrosia beetles that create fungus-imbued sawdust, which floats over forest canopies and infects other trees.

Know someone who wants to work in a beautiful environment and be an integral part of research and Extension that will help ag producers and members of the community throughout the state? Let them know that two agricultural research technician III positions are now open at Waiakea Station and Mealani Station on the Big Island.

Bright, cheerful, attractive to beneficial insects and birds, and great sources of food for animals and humans—sunflowers have it all! Find out about which varieties are the best to grow at a UH Maui Cooperative Extension floriculture field day on “Sunflower Cultivars for Cut Flower Production” on Thursday, April 18, at the UH Maui College Campus, CTAHR Co-op Extension Building.

Love 4-H? Raise your hand! The National 4-H Council is sponsoring the “Raise Your Hand” campaign to champion each state’s 4-H program. It will run from April 1 through May 15 this year, and the three states that get the most hands raised will receive $20,000, $10,000, and $5,000 respectively. Best of all, this year the results are prorated by state population, so Hawai‘i has a fair shot at these awards!

Sustainability in agriculture isn’t just about using practices that don’t harm the environment, crucial though that is; another important aspect is being able to make enough money to keep producing. That’s a big part of what agricultural economics focuses on, and CTAHR will be better equipped to help farmers with this now that Sarah Rehkamp (NREM) will soon be starting as the new assistant Extension agent in Ag Economics.

This year’s illustrious and deserving awardees for the 2019 CTAHR Banquet have been selected, including Dave Chun (left) for Ka Lei Hano and Barry Brennan (PEPS, right) for Outstanding Alumnus. To congratulate them in person and hear more about their impressive and helpful accomplishments, make sure that you come to the 2019 CTAHR Banquet!

Kids participating in Maui’s Big Brothers Big Sisters program took a literal field trip—to the GoFarm garden plots at UH-Maui College. GoFarm farm coach P.J. Oliveros showed the kids about farming, inspiring some with a new ambition: to become farmers when they grow up. GoFarm Hawai‘i is an extremely successful beginning farmer training program housed in CTAHR with classes throughout the Islands.

Fascinated by the idea of hydroponics but worry that it’s too complicated? Emeritus professor Bernie Kratky (TPSS) pioneered ways of designing non-circulating hydroponic systems that are easy to make and use. He recently released a new video, this one describing how to grow a variety of slow-bolting arugula, ‘Adagio’, in a non-circulating hydroponic tank.

CTAHR has roots around the world! Extension agent Sharon Motomura is a collaborator in the international Next Generation Cassava Breeding Project, which is working to identify and breed new varieties of cassava for smallholder farmers in Africa and around the world that specifically focuses on traits identified as desirable by the farmers and small producers themselves.

FCS is hiring two junior Extension agents, full time and temporary, to work with intergenerational and youth programs in Lihu‘e and Kona. The new agents should develop, deliver, and evaluate integrated and intergenerational education programs, including 4-H, that meet community needs and enhance the quality of life for stakeholders across the lifespan.

Welcome to Rosemary Gutierrez-Coarite (TPSS), who began her new career as the Maui County Edible Crops agent on Friday, February 15! Rosemary is right at home in the college, having previously worked as a junior researcher with Mark Wright (PEPS), primarily on integrated pest management of the macadamia felted coccid.

Fish and other seafoods are integral to the Island diet, but sourcing that fish can be problematic. Aurora Saulo (TPSS) was recently interviewed for Hawaii News Now’s story on how imported frozen seafood can be contaminated with unwanted chemicals, where she explained that antibiotics and other violative drugs are often used.

Wildfires are a serious concern, in the Islands as well as on the Mainland. Wildland fire expert Clay Trauernicht (NREM) recently gave a presentation on this timely subject on Maui, in which he explained that since 72 percent of wildfires with known causes are accidental, that means they can be prevented, and the time for prevention is now!  

EFNEP, a successful nationwide community nutrition education program, is celebrating its 50th year in Hawai‘i! The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) helps limited-resource families acquire knowledge and skills and change attitudes and behavior to improve the nutritional well-being of the whole family. 

O‘ahu Cooperative Extension joined with other CTAHR programs and statewide agricultural agencies to support the Hawaii Farm Bureau’s Ag Day at the Capitol. This educational event allows ag producers, organizations, and educators get to demonstrate just how crucial their work is to community, quality of life, and the economy and the environment of the Islands.