Alumni News

Dr. Scott Lukas, who earned his MS and PhD degrees from the Dept. of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences under the mentorship of Dr. Joseph DeFrank, was recently selected for an Endowed Professorship for North West Berry Production and Management at Oregon State U. Scott attributes his success in academia to the skills and lessons imparted by Dr. DeFrank throughout his graduate education. Scott was recently promoted to Associate Professor with indefinite tenure at OSU, in which he will carry to his new position in the NW Berry Program.

With the declaration of June as "National Ocean Month" Cheng-Sheng Lee calls his recognition of the ocean and its global importance a critical step into the future of sustainable economic and societal development. In the latest Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture newsletter, he extends his appreciation for the 17 pre-proposals received in response to its FY22 request.

Sea cucumbers are a high-value commercial food, and the demand for local seafood is rising. But so are extreme climatic events that can rapidly change water conditions, especially in coastal environments that include the traditional Hawaiian fishponds where sea cucumbers are grown and harvested.

Long after they’ve wilted and returned to the earth, flowers grown by Extension agents at the Urban Garden Center will live on in the memories, education, and overall development of Oʻahu youths. Originally grown to brighten the décor at the CTAHR Ohana Banquet, as well as brighten spirits at the Hawaiʻi Dept. of Health, the harvested flowers also went toward teaching students at Pearl City High School how to make arrangements using locally available flowers. PCHS teachers and students also made floral arrangements to give to school administrators during Admin Professional Week.

The recent UH drive to support the Hawaiʻi Foodbank brought in almost $70K, and CTAHR led the way in total pounds of food donated at a whopping 2,488 pounds – by far and away the most from any college or school in the UH system.