Alumni News

Desperate times call for imaginative measures. Instead of making rum and ginger beer, students in CTAHR’s Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering (MBBE) department are using the knowledge theyʻve gained in their Fermentation Biochemistry class to distill hand sanitizer.

If you are or know a grower who is being impacted by the coronavirus, act now to get help! The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture is requesting proposals for COVID-19 Emergency farmer relief, due at NOON on Friday, March 27. Individual farming operations can apply for a maximum of $2,000 in emergency relief.

CTAHR Dean Nick Comerford offered words of encouragement and praise to the faculty, staff, students, and volunteers of the college, who are continuing to work to provide essential services in the face of mounting concerns. He also provided guidance on work-from-home options, included here in the attached document. And last but not least, he offered a song to brighten a dark day.

Nancy Ooki, Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) point of contact for the state of Hawai‘i, is creating a COVID-19 webpage for the Extension Emergency Response section of the CTAHR website. The goal is to add as many CTAHR- and UH-created resources as possible. Please submit resources to Nancy Ooki at ooki@hawaii.edu.

This time of uncertainty can be anxiety-producing and overwhelming for everyone. All the many directives for social distancing and self-quarantining might make you feel alone or in need of someone to talk to. Though we’re focused on protecting our physical health, it’s important to take a step back and ask ourselves how we’re doing mentally and emotionally as well.