Congratulations to all CTAHR faculty who were successful in the recent Maui County FY20 grant competition! Nine proposals were submitted, requesting a total of nearly $133,000; since only $100,000 was available, support was provided for the seven top proposals. 

The projects that were selected are listed in alphabetical order according to the principal investigator:

• Orville Baldos (TPSS) for “Commercialization of Peperomia mauiensis as a Native Indoor Plant.” 

• Kyle Caires (HNFAS, pictured) for “Creating a Learning Center for Livestock Producers and 4-H Youth in Maui County.” 

• Heather Greenwood-Junkermeier (FCS) for “Agriculture Education as a Tool to Mitigate Chronic Disease Risk Factors in Moloka‘i’s Multigenerational Families.” 

• Rosemary Gutierrez-Coarite (TPSS) for “Evaluation of Insecticides on Host Plants to Control Melon Fly on Cucurbits in Maui County.” 

• Jennifer Hawkins (TPSS) for “Creating a Competitive Edge in Organic Papaya Production Through the Implementation of Best Management Practices on Moloka‘i” and also for

• “Evaluating the Feasibility of Biodegradable Farm Inputs in Tropical Agriculture on Moloka‘i.” 

• Kylie Tavares (TPSS) for “Expansion of Agricultural Extension Programming for Lāna‘i Growers.”

Researchers are encouraged to try for funding next year—it’s a great way to get some important projects up and running!