Alumni News

Hawaiʻi sits at the crossroads of East and West, U.S. Mainland and Pacific Basin, with a climate prized by tourists – and invasive organisms. Accurate identification of a pest or disease is the first step in learning how to control and limit its spread. Diagnostic services are an essential line of defense in Hawai`i to prevent agricultural losses from pests and diseases. During much of his 36 years at the Komohana Agriculture Research & Extension Center in Hilo, Brian Bushe has recovered and identified more than 50 insect pests and plant diseases, either for the first time in the State of Hawai`i or Hawai`i Island.

Each year, the Oʻahu Urban Garden Center hosts more research projects, variety trials, school bus field trips, Master Gardner classes, visiting horticulture and agriculture societies, and so many other activities – it’s near impossible to count all of them. In 2018, its volunteers harvested more than 15, 000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables, and donated everything to the Hawaiʻi Food Bank. Tomorrow, the UGC loses its fearless leader, Steve Nagano, who is retiring.

Ideas may provide the seed, but having a good growth medium is also behind every successful startup. Fashion Design and Merchandising added plenty of sunshine and nutrients with the CTAHR 2020 Retail Business Plan Competition.

Aloha faculty, staff, students, volunteers, patrons and friends of CTAHR.

Please enjoy this Holiday Greeting Video from Saint (Dean) Nick Comerford and the entire CTAHR ‘ohana.

Stay safe out there.

What hasn’t changed during this pandemic is the need for research trials. What HAS changed is the community’s greater need for food donations.