News and Events


«March 2024»
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
26272829123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
1234567

2022 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Extension

2022 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Extension 1 May 2022

2022 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Extension

The Coffee Berry Borer Team

The Dean’s Award for Excellence in Extension distinguishes an exceptional Extension faculty member or team whose work has demonstrated outstanding performance and significant results. The application for this award is the submission of an Extension Impact Statement. This year’s winning Impact Statement can be found on the CTAHR homepage.

2022 Dean’s Award for Outstanding Extension Volunteer

2022 Dean’s Award for Outstanding Extension Volunteer 1 May 2022

2022 Dean’s Award for Outstanding Extension Volunteer

Joe Simmons of the Master Gardener Program

Volunteers are the lifeblood for Extension programs such as 4-H and Master Gardener. The recipient of this first-ever Dean’s Award for Outstanding Extension Volunteer goes to Joe Simmons, Master Gardener volunteer. For many years, the Master Gardener program in the majority of states utilized an electronic volunteer management system created and hosted by the University of California – Davis. In 2019, this system was decommissioned, and it was up to each state to come up with a replacement system.

Congrats Roshan!

Congrats Roshan! 16 March 2022

Congrats Roshan!

Extension agent recognized by Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council

For his dedication to supporting and enhancing invasive species management on Kauaʻi and throughout Hawaiʻi, Extension agent Roshan Manandhar is the recipient of the 2022 Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Awareness Month Kauaʻi Island MVP Award! The award recognizes an individual, organization, or agency responsible for one of the major invasive species highlights in the areas of research, prevention, control, and/or public outreach on their island.

(Ag) Class in Session

(Ag) Class in Session 21 February 2022

(Ag) Class in Session

Urban Garden Center hosts Pearl City and Waipahu high schoolers

Want to sustain our aging Ag workforce with the best and brightest of the next generation? How about try exposing young persons to the wide diversity of careers that are available? Faculty, staff, and volunteers of CTAHR’s Urban Garden Center (UGC) played host to field trips last week from Pearl City High School and Waipahu High School, partnering with the Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation (HAF) to promote awareness of agriculture at the high school level. With a grant to cover transportation, UGC and HAF worked together to bring more than 30 PCHS students to the CTAHR facility February 11 for a multisensory event.

Students had an opportunity to: 1) learn about the benefits of flowers, 2) smell the roses, 3) express themselves creatively with plants, 4) harvest, process and taste mamaki tea, 5) use their hands to propagate plants, 6) taste local and unique fruits grown at UGC, 7) convert home waste into a useable fertilizer for plants, 8) take home local roses and their personalized bouquets, and 9) taste how sour lemon can be made into a local treat by using gummies and lemon peel. 

Aloha Kalani

Aloha Kalani 21 January 2022

Aloha Kalani

Extension agent helped cultivate a county-wide base of Master Gardeners

Please join the Master Gardeners, Volunteers, and Urban Garden Center (UGC) as we bid a fond aloha to Master Gardener / Urban Horticulture Extension Agent, Kalani Matsumura. Kalani served as a Junior Extension Agent with Oʻahu County, Cooperative Extension, for the past five years. During his tenure, he led the Oʻahu County, Master Gardener Program, to be a successful Cooperative Extension program at CTAHR.

Adventure in Paradise

Adventure in Paradise 21 January 2022

Adventure in Paradise

4-H offers another Wounded Warrior Camp for keiki of fallen soldiers

Hawaiʻi 4-H Military Partnership is excited to announce its “4-H Wounded Warrior Camp: Adventure in Paradise” will once again be offered this summer. The week of fun in the sun, recreation and respite is specifically tailored for the dependent keiki of wounded, injured, ill or fallen soldiers. At YMCA Camp Erdman on the North Shore of Oahu. The adventure will include high ropes courses, mindfulness activities, swimming, yoga, hiking, Hawaiiana-based environmental activities, crafts, and recreational camp games.

Feeding Mental Health

Feeding Mental Health 7 December 2021

Feeding Mental Health

HDFS + UGC Fruit Hui team up to collect, donate fruit baskets

For this past Thanksgiving, student interns Leah Ramos and Kalani Akau and their advisor, Sothy Eng, took the initiative to collect fruits from families' backyards and put them together in baskets, which they donated to Mental Health Kōkua, a local organization that serves adults striving for mental wellness. The Urban Garden Center’s Fruit Hui immediately came on board, generously donating its entire harvest of lemon, tangerine, orange, papaya, mango, and starfruit, estimated to be more than 100 pounds of fresh, nutritious, delicious items – and all hand-picked by UGC volunteers Linda, Susie, Glenn, Jessie, Karen, Kim, and others.

“These fruit baskets not only provide nutritional food for our community members, but also help toward promoting sustainable food systems as abundant foods are being sourced and shared with those who are struggling with food access,” says Sothy of the Human Development and Family Studies program in the Dept. of Family and Consumer Sciences. “This food distribution is one of the elements within the food systems that connects between the home/community food systems with our community members who are suffering from social injustice of healthy food access."

Extension’s Kalani Matsumura adds, “The UGC volunteers normally donate these fruits to the Hawaiʻi Food Bank, as well as the CTAHR student food pantry, but today they are happy to support HDFS students’ Thanksgiving project to put together nice baskets for the needy. Thank you for the great work you're doing for families in Hawaiʻi!

Mental Health Kōkua serves adult individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses often causing the individual to feel alone and separated from reality, explains Les Gusman, County Director-Oahu.

“This random act of kindness that you are providing gives them hope,” he says. “We appreciate Brooke Fisher, an HDFS alumni and MHK former intern, who is now doing her Master's in Social Work at Columbia University, for her continuous effort connecting CTAHRʻs Home Garden Network program to our organization.”

In the Hands of Those In Need

In the Hands of Those In Need 1 December 2021

In the Hands of Those In Need

Extension visits the Institute for Human Services’ aquaculture garden

Serving 359,159 meals to the homeless in a single year requires a literal ton(s) of ingredients. To supplement the meals with fresh, locally grown produce, the Institute for Human Services maintains a rooftop garden on top of its Dillingham Blvd. location, carefully tended to by GoFarm Hawaiʻi graduate Lubei Cavin. At her invite, eight agents from O’ahu County Extension had an opportunity to return to IHS’s rooftop garden to see how all the magic happens. Aquaponically grown lettuce, basil, kalo, and sweet potatoes were just some of the many commodities growing.

Lubei led an aquaculture production “class” for her visitors, and shared her focus on the humanity side of agriculture and how the garden provides food to keep people fed and nourished. Extension also had an opportunity to see how the veggies are processed in the kitchen, then packed and served to IHS guests across Oʻahu.

“The field trip was eye opening,” says Jari Sugano. “It reminded us how important it is to put food into the hands of those who need it the most.”

Following the visit, Extension and volunteers made a special effort to help IHS supplement its holiday spread. They harvested and donated mandarins and citrus from Extension agent Jensen Uyeda field trial at the Poamoho Research Station.

“As this holiday season approaches, please be mindful of those in need and support organizations like IHS who strive to end homelessness in Hawaiʻi,” says Jari. “In 2020, IHS housed 2,619 clients and sheltered 2,145 people – besides serving all those meals. So please consider making donations of food, clothing, home goods, toiletries, monetary gifts, gift cards, etc.”

View a video of Extension’s visit.

Fast, Healthy, and Ono

Fast, Healthy, and Ono 1 December 2021

Fast, Healthy, and Ono

Extension is featured on AARP’s “Locally Grown” series

Extension’s Amjad Ahmad basked in the virtual limelight as the featured speaker in “Locally Grown,” a video series by the American Association of Retired Persons, Hawaiʻi chapter, and Windward Community College. Each week during the cooking webinar series, which ran for six weeks, Amjad gave a presentation and answered questions about growing conditions, the best time to harvest, the best season and environment to grow the crops during, and other related questions. The virtual events also covered cooking demonstrations of locally grown crop (sweet potato, breadfruit, papaya, taro, lemongrass, and kabocha pumpkin) lead by a chef from Windward’s culinary program.

In all, the webinars engaged 1,329 people over the six-week period.

“Amjad did a great job representing CTAHR at the request of AARP!” says Jari Sugano. “His talks helped to heighten awareness of locally grown foods that are easy to grow – and nutritious.”

GoFarm Kauaʻi

GoFarm Kauaʻi 27 October 2021

GoFarm Kauaʻi

The next cohort kicks off Nov. 6 in Lihue

GoFarm Hawaiʻi, the award-winning new farmer training program, will bring its magic back to the Garden Isle next month. Potential cohort applicants are invited to join the GoFarm staff at its training site in Lihue to check out current student farm plots, talk to the coach and marketing specialist, and learn more about upcoming program applications and timelines. Interested participants can register here for the November 6 GoFarm Field Day @ 2pm.

  • Register here for the January 13, 2022, AgCurious webinar @ 6pm. This virtual meeting is the mandatory first step to participate in GoFarm’s 2022 beginning farmer training program (Feb-Sept, 2022).
  • Detailed dates and information are available at GoFarm Kauaʻi.

“We are excited to announce outreach and recruitment for our next GoFarm Hawaii training program cohort on Kauaʻi,” says Janel Yamamoto. “Please share the following dates with your networks as we look for our next group of aspiring farmers!”

Pest Particulars

Pest Particulars 5 October 2021

Pest Particulars

PEPS will improve Extension’s ability to update Hawaiʻi farmers

With hundreds of invasive pests in the Hawaiian Islands to keep track of, entomologists have their hands full sorting out which insects constitute the highest-impact threat to local Ag – not to mention, getting this information into the hands of growers. With a new grant from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Mark Wright and Joanna Bloese will improve CTAHR Extension’s ability to disseminate the most current data to farmers and other stakeholders statewide. From the Dept. of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, they will continue and expand upon Integrated Pest Management (IPM) implementation programs across the most highly valued crops in Hawaiʻi agriculture.

“The improvements include upgrading our online IPM portal (the old Crop Knowledge Master) to a modernized and more accessible format, with updated information and images for hundreds of pests of numerous crops in Hawaiʻi,” says Mark. “We’re developing an app with Mark Thorne (of the Dept. of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences) for the identification, monitoring, and management of the Two-Lined Spittle Bug, a devastating pest of Hawaiʻi pastures. We’re also collaborating with Angelita Acebes of USDA-ARS to make all our IPM information available through the MyIPM app.”

In addition to delivering IPM Extension materials via Best Management Practice factsheets, online access, and direct interactions with stakeholders, Mark and Joanna will develop predictive forecasts for new, potentially high-impact insect pests. Such preemptive forecasts should help improve surveillance and early detection of pests, and responses to new invasions.

“The grant also supports research on new invasive species,” Mark adds, “such as the Rami moth, a relatively recent arrival that threatens mamaki plants in Hawaiʻi. The grant also supports short-term Extension projects run by Extension agents.”

Read the full grant.

Becky Settlage

Becky Settlage 28 September 2021

Becky Settlage

Dean’s Award for Excellence in Extension

Becky Settlage is an Associate Extension Agent in the Dept. of Family and Consumer Sciences, currently working at the Komohana Research and Extension Center in Hilo. Drawing from her work in the 4-H Junior Master Gardener Program during Covid, Becky published an outstanding Impact Statement, “Growing Great Kids in Times of Adversity.” As Becky explains, this annual program has run since 2012, but Covid stay-at-home orders forced families and schools to come up with ways to engage their kids/students while at home. This project was meant to be educational, connected with school studies, and done from safety of the home.

In Becky’s words, “Because many youths were at home a greater portion of the day due to the pandemic, they were well-positioned to manage and take better care of their plants, which resulted in more contest entries at the conclusion of the program. In 2019, there were 22 entries for our contest. In 2020, we had 76 — an increase of 245%!”

Seven state records were broken by the outstanding plants. In addition, Becky found that 50% of participants were first-time gardeners, with “highly significant positive changes” in the participants’ knowledge and ability to grow “giant” vegetables and plants.

Moving forward, responses indicate that families and schools want to see the annual seminar, monthly ‘Talk Story’ sessions, and annual tour continue.

“100% of the 2020 participants stated they ALL had fun participating and would participate again in 2021,” she said.

Read Becky’s Impact Statement, “Growing Great Kids in Times of Adversity.”

***

The 2021 CTAHR Dean’s Award for Excellence in Extension is based on an evaluation of Extension Impact Statements submitted by individuals or teams during 2020. Read more.

Lawmakers’ Visits

Lawmakers’ Visits 24 August 2021

Lawmakers’ Visits

The Urban Garden Center hosts state, U.S. representatives and staff

August was a busy month at the Urban Garden Center as faculty, staff, and volunteers prepared for two site visits, first from the House Finance Committee of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature, soon followed by the office of U.S. Representative Ed Case. State lawmakers, who are assessing Capital Improvement Projects statewide, were treated to a full tour of the iconic CTAHR facility in Pearl City, Oʻahu. This included a presentation by the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) team, a CRB detection demonstration by the CRB canine program, a presentation on EFNEP/ SNAP-ED programs, and engaging with the Master Gardener Program. Committee members and their staff also conducted a walk through of the raised-bed containerized fruit tree and hydroponic demonstration area, strolled through the 4-H Children’s Garden, and viewed the historic Quonset hut from WWII. The guests heard first-hand from 4-H youth and UGC volunteers about the importance of UGC for Cooperative Extension programming.

Mitch Heidenreich, Congressman Case’s legal assistant, was provided with an in-depth update on CTAHR’s numerous statewide research and Extension projects involving invasive species eradication, suppression, and management. We also discussed CTAHR’s academic programs, increasing SNAP access, and youth development opportunities.

Development of the areas surrounding UGC has been on the rise, due to their close proximity to a planned rail stop – the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) for the Pearl Highlands Station Area. UGC’s relevance to the local community and the state was most evident, and we took full advantage of these opportunities to update policymakers about all the outstanding work being conducted by CTAHR, across the state. CTAHR is everywhere.

***

Did You Know?

On any given day, CTAHR faculty and staff at the 30-acre Urban Garden Center in, are researching a disease-resistant strain of crops, preparing college students for a career in tropical agriculture or environmental conservation, hosting busloads of elementary schoolkids, training local residents as Master Gardeners, donating more than 16,000 pounds of fresh fruit to the Hawai‘i Food Bank, and much more.

Prior to Covid, an estimated 6,134 people benefited from direct contact with UGC in 2019. In-person activities halted for the public in 2020, but UGC quickly pivoted to online educational programs, continuing to disseminate information and new advances to commercial and backyard growers across the Hawaiian islands.

Extension faculty, staff and volunteers also used the ‘down time’ during Covid to revitalize the UGC grounds with new gardens and enhanced exhibits. Today, as the state emerges from pandemic restrictions, this cherished neighborhood facility is ready to once again educate visitors and residents, children and adults, in agriculture, environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation strategies.

Garlic, Grown in Hawaiʻi

Garlic, Grown in Hawaiʻi 24 August 2021

Garlic, Grown in Hawaiʻi

Extension is the guest on HPR’s 'The Conversation'

With a $23K grant from Hawaiʻi County, Extension agents Jensen Uyeda and Kylie Tavares are bringing their successful garlic trials to Kona and Hilo. And if all goes well, a locally grown variety of the aromatic Allium family could soon appear in restaurants and groceries across the Islands. For five years, Jensen has been running field trials in a variety of test plots on Oʻahu and Maui, exploring the possibility of commercial garlic production in the state – and so far, so good. The growers he’s working with are successfully producing salable cloves. In fact, one farmer harvested 900 pounds this year and is marketing the garlic at $6-7 per pound, which is higher than the price of California garlic.

“There is a demand for locally grown garlic and that demand is willing to pay the higher price required by local production to meet production cost,” Jensen says. “The quality and diverse flavors of the locally grown garlic set it apart from the mainstream garlic being imported from Mainland and China sources. The garlic varieties being grown are not like any found in local markets, so they can demand a higher price.” 

Jensen and Kylie were the guests last week on Hawaiʻi Public Radio’s The Conversation. “Developing products that have higher value — so like garlic chili oil doesn't require a lot of product, but you can market it as a Hawaiʻi-grown product and that value would be significantly increased,” he said.

Read and listen to the full interview, Hawaiʻi Could Soon Have Its Own Domestic Garlic Industry, with host Lillian Tsang.

Love this Clip!

Love this Clip! 24 August 2021

Love this Clip!

Molokaʻi Farm to School puts together a short but sweet video

Marshall Joy was only with the Molokaʻi Farm to School program for a short while, but he made the most of his time. His job as program coordinator was to connect Hawaiʻi keiki with school gardening experiences and connect young keiki to local food, in hopes to grow the next generation of local food consumers. The coordinator position also means working closely with Maunaloa Elementary to establish their own school garden, which in the future will contribute to food that can be utilized in school meals, and most immediately creates learning opportunities outside of the classroom for haumana. “Not only can school gardens teach our students science and math, gardens give them an opportunity to get outside, connect with nature and engage with one another,” says Monica Esquivel of the Dept. of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences. “Even further along, when they see something they have taken care of grow and provide nutrition for their community, they can gain a sense of pride in self and place.”

Watch the Molokaʻi Farm to School program in action.

Quality Compost

Quality Compost 9 August 2021

Quality Compost

Extension workshops at UGC are a hit with the community

A high demand for applied science was very apparent June 30, and again July 29, as Oʻahu farmers and Master Gardeners arrived at CTAHR’s Urban Garden Center for workshops on compost quality. Extension agent Josh Silva and I are excited to resume hosting outdoor events at UGC, which were very popular with stakeholders prior to Covid. Special talks and demonstrations were provided by Koon-Hui Wang of the Dept. of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, Sustainable Pest-Management Specialist Kaili Kosaka, the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) Response Team, and Marvin Min of Hawaiian Earth Products.

This was a great opportunity to learn about compost, compost quality, compost processing, composting methods, vermicomposting with red worms, compost management for CRB prevention, carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratios, and related topics. Our guests were able to walk through the UGC grounds – which staff and volunteers have done a spectacular job in renovating – including the new raised-bed systems planted with locally-produced compost from Hawaiian Earth Products. Mahalo HEP!

Participants were very impressed by the presentations and topics covered. In fact, their warm responses prompted us to hold a second workshop for our volunteers and Master Gardeners.

This was a great and beneficial event. All speakers did a very good job. Mahalo for the free compost samples” and “Please keep providing us with this type of workshops” are just a few of the positive comments we received.

Our goal is to increase awareness of the quality and availability of locally produced compost. We want to improve understanding of composting as a great method of waste management, what can be expected from compost application, how to increase the benefits from compost application, how to improve compost quality, and which compost quality parameters to look for.

Mahalo to everyone who helped make these workshops successful, and we look forward to hosting another one soon.

Twoline Spittlebug

Twoline Spittlebug 9 August 2021

Twoline Spittlebug

Mark T. of Extension is interviewed on Hawaiʻi News Now

Since 2016, Mark Thorne and Mark Wright have waged war on the invasive Twoline Spittlebug. The invasive pest is devasting rangelands on the Big Island, which is a concern for both the Dept. of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences and the Dept. of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences. Recently, Mark T. was interviewed for a Hawaiʻi News Now segment featuring CTAHR’s efforts to contain the pest. A separate KHON2 report also showed images of the CTAHR research team doing field work. “The best we can do to manage the spread, at this point, is to find ways to reduce the Twolined Spittlebug populations to levels below thresholds that inflict catastrophic damage on rangeland resources,” he says. “This should also help slow the spread of the pest into other areas that not yet affected by the pest.”

He adds, “Currently, our research has focused on understanding the biology and ecology of the pest on pastureland, carrying out host-plant resistance experiments on an array of forage grasses to determine which are susceptible or resistant to Twolined Spittlebug adult feeding. We’re also developing integrated Pest Management strategies, including intensive grazing management to reduce suitable feeding and egg laying habitat for adults and nymphs, coupled with strategic use of pesticides and revegetation with grasses resistant to Twolined Spittlebug feeding.”

Mark T. and Mark W. are also investigating an “entomopathogenic” fungus – indigenous to Hawaii – that may affect the spittlebugs. A few years back, they observed dead Twolined Spittlebug adults that had been infected by the fungus. They collected samples and sent them in for analysis.

“Since that time, we have observed an increased rate and a wider spatial occurrence of infection of Twolined Spittlebug adults from this fungus,” he says. “We are hopeful this naturally occurring biocontrol can help throttle down the population growth of the pest. Additionally, we are investigating ways that we may harvest and potentially domesticate the fungus for use as a commercial biocontrol.”

Ahaolelo and Aliʻi

Ahaolelo and Aliʻi 20 July 2021

Ahaolelo and Aliʻi

Hawaiʻi 4-H adapts to continue its traditions

‘Ahaolelo’ means “to come together for a meeting” in Hawaiian, and the Hawaiʻi 4-H Ahaolelo Leadership Conference is rich in that tradition, playing an important role in the development of our 4-H members.

Held at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus, the Ahaolelo provides local youths who’ve completed 8th to 12th grade with an excellent opportunity to meet other 4-H members, make new friends, exchange ideas, develop communication and leadership skills – and learn more about UH and college life.

Last year, the Ahaolelo switched to a virtual Aliʻi Ceremony due to COVID-19, and merged with a 3-day online conference with Idaho and Washington 4-H’s STAC (State Teen Association Conference) to allow more teen participants.

This year, Hawaiʻi 4-H formed an Ahaolelo Planning Team, with the theme “Overcoming Challenges, Shaping the Future.” The events included a community service project with the ceremony in the evening. 

“Although this was a very difficult year, we used our 4-H skills to overcome challenges and shape the future,” said Kaitlin Kitagawa of Maui, who was an emcee at the Aliʻi Ceremony. In all, 40 teen delegates, adult volunteers, and 4-H Agents and Staff were able to attend. The delegates joined virtual workshops and were inspired by the special presenters:

  • Dr. Lauren Tamamoto, 4-H alumni from the Teddy Bears 4-H Club and Kapiʻolani Community College Food Scientist and Research Chef who collaborates with CTAHR.
  • Myself, presenting on “Head” life skills such as solving problems, making decisions, and practicing creativity.
  • Rebecca Kanenaka, past 4-H Club Leader of the Golden Ripples 4-H Club, retired microbiologist, and currently a 4-H Volunteer Resource Leader.
  • Hallie Cristobal, Kauaʻi 4-H and Intergenerational Junior Extension Agent, presenting on foods and nutrition.
  • Carli Yamamoto, 4-H alumni from the Aloha Kids 4-H Club and athletic trainer at Konawaena High School, presenting on empathy, determination, and resiliency.

The speakers shared engaging and hands-on learning, referencing their 4-H experiences, the challenges they faced, and how they overcame and moved forward. They also shared about their careers and how they got to where they are today.

“It kept the attention of the audience well and the workshops were fun!” wrote one 4-H participant.

 

Aliʻi Ceremony

To gracefully end the 4-H Ahaolelo, we also held an Aliʻi Ceremony in the evening at the UHM campus, with virtual links for participants on the Neighbor Islands. The ceremony is another 4-H tradition, called “Gifts to the Aliʻi.” in which we recognize and honor guests who exemplify the 4-H values of leadership and community service. 

This year, Hawaiʻi 4-H was fortunate to have as our guest State Senator Lynn DeCoite, who we thanked and honored for her support and dedication to 4-H programs, not just in her Maui County district but throughout the whole state. 

“It’s a badge of honor from each and one of you,” shared Sen. DeCoite. “I love this conference, and I love the fact that you folks have 4-H Ahaolelo …(which) means ‘to come together’ … As I learned all my life in farming and ranching, we all need to come together to make a difference.”

Past Aliʻi date back to the&

Laulima in Action

Laulima in Action 20 July 2021

Laulima in Action

Kauaʻi Extension builds a new greenhouse for its Ag Station

The greenhouses at the Kauaʻi Agricultural Research and Extension Station (KARES) were in need of complete replacement, so in early 2021, thanks to the support of CTAHR leadership, we were able to have our two failing greenhouses removed, and approval to purchase two replacement greenhouse kits. Sandra Cabral (Kauaʻi County secretary) worked diligently to process this large purchase and get the new greenhouse kits on the boat and headed our way. Once the old greenhouses were demolished, and the pads were clear, the challenge of installing the new houses (each 35’ wide by 84’ long) began. The Kauaʻi team rose to the challenge! The talented farm team of Frank Matsuno (farm manager), Michael Carle (agricultural technician), Lou Nishida (mechanic), Michael Zins (seasonal volunteer), and myself worked through the many steps of putting the structure together.

We started with carefully setting the concrete footings, then installing the frame and hardware, fastening screening on the sides, rebuilding greenhouse benches, and, redoing the water lines.  The tricky last step was placing a single large sheet of plastic to cover the roof of the house.

Extension agents Emilie Kirk, Roshan Manandhar, James Keach, Amjad Ahmad, and others were on hand to make fine work of this. Please enjoy these photos, which show the demo and construction process over time. Now, it’s on to Greenhouse Number Two!

National Clean Plant Network

National Clean Plant Network 20 July 2021

National Clean Plant Network

Extension will use a new APHIS grant to study sweet potato

When a virus or virus-like agent infects a vegetatively propagated crop, the negative consequences can go far beyond a disappointing yield, appearance, taste, and plant longevity. If the difficult-to-find disease goes undetected inside the propagation material, the problem could be passed on to a new farm, establish itself, and spread even further. Since 2008, the National Clean Plant Network has brought together growers, scientists, and government agencies with the shared goal of safeguarding clean plants and ensuring a sustainable source of disease-free, vegetative propagation materials (such as cuttings, slips, scionwood, etc.). No less than the long-term viability of farmers and feeding a hungry planet are at stake. With a new grant from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, a group of CTAHR Extension agents and researchers on Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Maui, and the Big Island have joined the network’s sweet potato group. For their first project, Amjad Ahmad, Rosemary Gutierrez, Roshan Manandhar, Susan Miyasaka, Sharon Motomura-Wages, and Jensen Uyeda, along with Dr. Jon Suzuki from the USDA ARS, DKI US Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center (PBARC) in Hilo, will focus on ‘Okinawan,’ the purple-fleshed sweet potato variety that is a primary commercial cultivar in Hawaiʻi.

“During the first year, we hope to produce a total of 100 virus-tested ‘Okinawan’ plantlets in the tissue-culture laboratory of the Komohana Research and Extension Center, then distribute to Extension agents across the state,” Susan says.

The plan calls for these Extension agents to multiply the clean material to produce 500 cuttings, and distribute them to growers. The agents will use either pot or hydroponic cultures under conditions that will minimize any re-introduction of disease, while Dr. Suzuki will test for major sweet potato viruses in order to ensure that the propagating materials are clean. If all goes well, by the second year of funding, the agents will be able to ramp up production to distribute 2,500 clean cuttings to growers.

Read more about the National Clean Plant Network.

RSS
124678910Last
6 August 2019

To Bean or Natto Bean, That Is the Question

Soybean variety trial and hands-on workshop was a success

To Bean or Natto Bean, That Is the Question

Natto…people love it or they hate it. Making natto is a good way to preserve soybeans, add nutritional content, create a value-added product, and produce a distinctive flavor and texture that some swear by…and others swear about.

Participants at the recent natto workshop at the Pearl City Urban Garden Center were decidedly of the former camp, eagerly tasting different preparations of the sometimes-slithery fermented soybean condiment and learning how to make it themselves.

The workshop first discussed CTAHR’s soybean variety trial, which is assessing which soybean cultivars succeed best under the Islands’ various growing conditions. Then FSHN alumna Dr. Lauren Tamamoto of the KCC Culinary Innovation Center taught the participants about vegetable fermentation science and led them in hands-on natto preparation, finishing up with some tasty samples, including black bean natto.