Alumni News

Does kale grow differently on Mars? What about radishes and tomatoes? These and other interesting questions were put forth at the 2021 Fall Undergraduate Showcase of Research and Creative Projects, held online December 10. Nine students representing four departments in CTAHR participated in the academic conference designed to highlight undergraduate research and creative work at UH Mānoa. The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) competitively funds undergraduate students who propose a faculty-mentored research project.

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.

“Pilina Mauli Ola – Connections that Offer Resilience and Hope” is the theme for the upcoming 2022 Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference. The event won’t occur until summertime, but don’t delay in drafting your abstract proposal because the deadline to submit is February 25. Event organizers have created separate criteria for conservation research and management, and welcome presentations on work done directly for Hawaiian biocultural resources, as well as global knowledge that can be applied locally. The goal is to support and strengthen exchange and relationships between managers and researchers working collaboratively for improved conservation outcomes.

“This is a great opportunity to connect with potential collaborators across the Hawaiian Islands, and be inspired toward new projects that will benefit our native ecosystems!,” says Melissa Price of the Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Management.

Learn more about Submitting an Abstract for the conference, including the Abstract Mentoring Program for students and emerging professionals to receive support in honing their abstract writing skills.

For first time since December 2019, Maui and Moloka‘i staff and faculty were able to gather together, this time at the Seascape Restaurant in Mā‘alaea. The occasion was the CTAHR Maui County Annual All Staff & Faculty meeting, as well as to celebrate the 2020 retirement of their Farm Manager, Pam Shingaki.

“Clarisse Baisa and Kassie Bode were honored for their service to all staff and faculty on both Maui and Molokai during these difficult Covid years and with ongoing staffing vacancies,” says Cindy Reeves.

She adds, “Eddie Perez, Interim Farm Manager, and Eric De Maria, Interim Master Gardener Coordinator, were honored for stepping up to fill these critical roles during an extended hiring freeze to ensure that both our field operations and our Master Gardener volunteer programs could continue to run effectively as we await the ability to hire permanent staff and faculty to fill our vacancies. A good time was had by all!”

The next cohort for the GoFarm Hawaiʻi programs will run from February to September in Hilo, beginning with its introductory AgCurious class slated for the tomorrow. The event will introduce beginner farmers to the training program, who will hear from local GoFarm Hawaiʻi grads about their experience and current farm endeavors. AgXposure is the next step, and will run February 1 - March 1, where every Tuesday and Saturday the “students” will learn from local farms and get exposure to farm work.

Learning the nuts and bolts of farm production and business skills from GoFarm’s coaching team will occur March 15 - September 17 during AgXcel. The new farmers will learn to plant, manage, and market their own seven-week vegetable production at GoFarm’s site near Hilo. 

Learn more details at GoFarm Hawaiʻi and AgCurious F.A.Q.s.