CTAHR Publications

1. Aigbedion-Atalor, P., M. Wright, R. Galanti, J.B. Friday. 2026. Devil Weed (Chromolaena odorata): Characteristics and Management of an Introduced Invasive Plant in Hawaii. UH-CTAHR, WC-14 (status: published & online).WC-14.pdf
2. Galanti, R., Aigbedion-Atalor, P. 2026. Bronze Bug, An Insect Pest of Eucalyptus: Identification, Biology, and Controls. UH-CTAHR, IP-63 (status: published & online). IP-63.pdf
3. Aigbedion-Atalor, P., Are ants attracted to electricity? — Mechanisms and behavioral cues (status: 2026 in-press after peer review by Dr. Jia-Wei Tay, Dr. Roshan Manandhar, and Dr. Bruce Mathews)
4. Mahato, P., Aigbedion-Atalor, P. Slaughterhouse waste management: landfilling vs. Black Soldier Fly (status: 2026 in-press after peer-review by Sharon Wages, Dr. Rajesh Jha, and Dr. Bruce Mathews)

   Other Publications

5. Aigbedion-Atalor, P., Galanti, R., Miles, A. 2026. Towards Developing a Systems Approach for Little Fire Ant Management in Ornamental Nurseries on Hawaii Island. Ornamentals and Landscape State-Wide Extension Newsletter - V2 July/Aug/Sept 2026 (status: published: sent ).
6. Aigbedion-Atalor, P. 2026. Statewide Pest Management Systems Approach for Nursery Pests: The Launch and Future. CTAHR Maui Nui Quarterly Newsletter: Issue 5, June 2026 (status: published & online)
7. Aigbedion-Atalor, P., Galanti, R. Compendium of the 2025 IPM Short Course for Hawaiʻi Island Nursery and Floriculture Industries. Ornamentals and Landscape State-Wide Extension Newsletter - V2 July/Aug/Sept 2026 (status: published & online).
8. Aigbedion-Atalor, P. 2025. Push-pull technology: An IPM tool. CTAHR Maui Nui Quarterly Newsletter: Issue 3, December 2025 (status: published & online)
9. Aigbedion-Atalor, P., Should we eat insects in Hawaii. Hānai'Ai, December 2025 (status: published & online)

News and Media Outreach

1. Hawaiʻi Public Radio (HPR-1). Local News: UH researchers renew fruit fly management efforts. Interviewees: Aigbedion-Atalor, P., and Dara, S. June 10, 2026.

   https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-news/2026-06-10/uh-researchers-renew-fruit-fly-management-efforts

2. MAUI NOW. UH Mānoa agricultural college seeks input on fruit fly management. May 29, 2026. https://mauinow.com/2026/05/29/uh-manoa-agricultural-college-seeks-input-on-fruit-fly-management/
3. HONOLULU (KHON2). Top stories: Fruit flies devastate Hawaiʻi agriculture, costing $300 million. Interviewees: Aigbedion-Atalor, P., and Dara, S. May 29, 2025. https://www.khon2.com/top-stories/fruit-flies-threat-hawaii/
4. KAUAIʻINOW. The $300M threat: University of Hawaiʻi seeks community input to stop invasive fruit flies. May 29, 2026. Interviewees: Aigbedion-Atalor, P. https://kauainownews.com/2026/05/29/the-300m-threat-university-of-hawai%ca%bbi-seeks-community-input-to-stop-invasive-fruit-flies/
5. SPECTRUM NEWS. Community trends: UH seeks to community feedback to fight invasive fruit flies. Interviewees: Aigbedion-Atalor, P., and Dara, S. May 29, 2025. https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/news/2026/05/29/uh-seeks-to-community-feedback-to-fight-invasive-fruit-flies
6. Yahoo!news. Fruit flies devastate Hawai’i agriculture, costing $300 million. https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/fruit-flies-devastate-hawai-agriculture-064632937.html

Extension Events Organized: (Role: Organizer/Instructor/Speaker)

1. HFNA, R. Galanti, Aigbedion-Atalor, P. Hawaii Floriculture & Nursery Association Grower’s Research Update Seminar. Komohana Research and Extension Center, Hilo, HI. August 13, 2026. Co-organizer & Speaker
2. Manandhar, R., Aigbedion-Atalor, P., Chimera, C., Marquez, T., Kaufmann, L. Miyake, A., Keanini, T. Invasive Pest Meeting – Kauai 2026. UH CTAHR Cooperative Extension. August 11-12, 2026. Co-Organizer, Moderator & Speaker
3. Aigbedion-Atalor, P, Galanti, R. Deep Dive into Orchid Production IPM Strategies. 808 Orchids, Kalapana, HI. July 09, 2026. Organizer, Speaker & Trainer
4. Galanti, R., Aigbedion-Atalor, P. Deep Dive into Anthurium Production IPM Strategies. Green Point Nursery, Hilo, HI. July 06, 2026. Co-organizer, Speaker & Trainer
5. MGalanti, R., K. Wang, Aigbedion-Atalor, P. CTAHR Workshop: PGS Crude Extract Preparation and Application for Controlling Burrowing Nematode in Anthurium. Blooming Daily Farms, Mountain View, HI. May 30, 2026. Co-organizer
6. Galanti, R., HTFC., H. Lutgen, A. Ricordi, Aigbedion-Atalor, P. Hawaii Tropical Flower Council in Partnership with UH Manoa CTAHR 2026 Import Replacement Conference. Komohana Research and Extension Center, Hilo, HI. February 26-27, 2026. Co-organizer
7. HFNA, R. Galanti, Aigbedion-Atalor, P. Keaau High School Students' Floriculture Day. Komohana Research and Extension Center, Hilo, HI. March 30, 2026. Co-organizer & Speaker
8. Galanti, R., BIISC, CRB Response Team, Aigbedion-Atalor, P. CRB Big Island Update Brown Bags. Online, Zoom. May February 13, 2026. Co-organizer
9. Aigbedion-Atalor, P., Dara, S. Area-wide fruit fly suppression program in Hawaii. January 2026 – Present. Organizer & Speaker
10. Godfrey-Romo, C., Benito, G., Friday, JB., Rieber, L., Aigbedion-Atalor, P., Mahato, P., Galanti, R. 2026 East Hawaii Master Gardener Plant Sale and Ohia Love Festival. January 25 2025. Co-organizer & Speaker
11. Galanti, R., Aigbedion-Atalor, P. 2025-2026 IPM Shortcourse Class 1: Introduction to IPM. Online, Zoom. December 1, 2026. Organizer & Instructor
12. Aigbedion-Atalor P., R. Galanti. 2025-2026 IPM Shortcourse Class 2: Pest Identification and Biology Section 1. Online, Zoom. December 3, 2026. Organizer & Instructor
13. Galanti, R., Aigbedion-Atalor, P. 2025-2026 IPM Shortcourse Class 3: Pest Identification and Biology Section 2. Online, Zoom. December 8, 2026. Organizer & Instructor
14. Aigbedion-Atalor P., R. Galanti. 2025-2026 IPM Shortcourse Class 4: Pest Monitoring and Evaluation. Online, Zoom. December 10, 2026. Organizer & Instructor
15. Galanti, R., Aigbedion-Atalor, P. 2025-2026 IPM Shortcourse Class 5: IPM Management Methods. Online, Zoom. December 15, 2026. Organizer & Instructor
16. Aigbedion-Atalor, P., R. Galanti. 2025-2026 IPM Shortcourse Class 6: Pesticide Use and Safety. Online, Zoom. December 17, 2026. Organizer & Instructor
17. Galanti, R., BIISC, CRB Response Team, Aigbedion-Atalor, P. CRB Big Island Update Brown Bags. Online, Zoom. May December 15, 2025.
18. Galanti, R., BIISC, CRB Response Team, Aigbedion-Atalor, P. CRB Big Island Update Brown Bags. Online, Zoom. May November 14, 2025.
19. HFNA, R. Galanti, Aigbedion-Atalor, P. 2025 Fresh Look Expo Webinar. Komohana Research and Extension Center, Hilo, HI and Online, Zoom. November 14, 2025.
20. HFNA, R. Galanti, Aigbedion-Atalor, P. Hawaii Floriculture & Nursery Association Grower’s Research Update Seminar. Komohana Research and Extension Center, Hilo, HI. September 26, 2025. Co-organizer & Speaker
21. Aigbedion-Atalor, P., R. Galanti. Exploring stakeholder-and-community voices in developing IPM program for ornamental pests in Hawaii. Online, Zoom. June 18, 2025.
22. Galanti, R., BIISC, CRB Response Team, Aigbedion-Atalor, P. Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Webinar: Big Island. Online, Zoom. May 23, 2025.
23. Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, R. Galanti, P. Aigbedion-Atalor. Kea’au High School Students’ Floriculture Day. Komohana Research and Extension Center, Hilo, HI. April 15, 2025.
24. Godfrey-Romo, C., Benito, G., Friday, JB., Rieber, L., Aigbedion-Atalor, P., Galanti, R. 2025 East Hawaii Master Gardener Plant Sale and Ohia Love Festival. Co-organizer & Speaker

Invited Extension/Outreach events

1. Aigbedion-Atalor, P. Hawaii Floriculture & Nursery Association Grower’s Research Update Seminar. IPM Updates on Ornamental Pests in Hawaii: From Growers’ Needs to Applications. Held at Komohana Research and Extension Center, Hilo, HI. August 13, 2026. Invited Speaker
2. Aigbedion-Atalor, P. 2026 Agroforestry Workshop Series Day 4. Title: IPM of Key Pest Issues in Hawaiʻi. Held at Komohana Research and Extension Center, Hilo, HI. August 01, 2026. Invited Speaker.
3. Aigbedion-Atalor, P. 2026 Hawaii Macadamia Nut Association 58^th Annual Membership Meeting: Title: Macadamia Pest Management Research Update. Title: Research update on macadamia pest management. Held at Nani Mau Gardens and Event Space, Hilo, HI, July 24, 2026. Role: Invited Speaker.
4. Aigbedion-Atalor, P. Summer 2026 Agriculture: Landscape Technician Maintenance. IPM of Landscape Pests in Hawaii. University of Hawaii CTAHR Waimanalo Research Station, Oahu, HI. July 16, 2026. Instructor.
5. Aigbedion-Atalor, P. University of Hawaiʻi East Master Gardener Training: Entomology & Integrated Pest Management. Komohana Research and Extension Center, Hilo, HI. May 15, 2026. Instructor.
6. Aigbedion-Atalor, P. Senators Kanuha, Kahaloa, and Kapela, and staff visit/research update: Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Update. Kona Research Station, Kona, HI. November 21, 2025. Instructor.
7. Aigbedion-Atalor, P. Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawai’i Cohort XIX of the Agricultural Leadership (ALP) Program: Working with HFNA to solve invasive pests and assist the industry. Hilo Yacht Club, Hilo, HI. September 29, 2025. Instructor. Aigbedion-Atalor, P. Hawaii Floriculture & Nursery Association Grower’s Research Update Seminar: Pest Needs Assessment for Ornamental Cropping Industries in Hawai’i. Komohana Research and Extension Center, Hilo, HI. September 26, 2025. Instructor.

• Population diversity: Serological, biochemical and genetic studies undertaken to identify virulent subpopulations of bacteria
• Phylogenetics: Genetic relationships among strains in selected species of plant pathogenic bacteria
• Diagnostics: Development and application of specific immunodiagnostic and DNA-based assays for detection and identification of pathogens distributed worldwide in seeds and plant propagative materials. 
• Epidemiology: Use of diagnostic markers to determine primary sources of inoculum for bacterial diseases of tropical crops. 
• Biological control: Effects of beneficial bacteria on disease prevention. Immunodiagnostic and DNA-based  methods used to evaluate host-pathogen interactions in plant tissues. Effects of beneficial bacteria on the infection process was evaluated using a genetically modified bioluminescent strain of the anthurium blight pathogen, now renamed: Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. dieffenbachiae. 

A faculty member in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) from 1990 until his retirement in December 2017, Dr. Grace served as Associate Dean and Associate Director for Research from 2014-2017, with overall responsibility for the college's $20 million+ research portfolio. Prior to this, he served as Interim Associate Dean/Director for Research (2011-2014), Special Research Director (2010-2011), and Chair of the Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences (PEPS) (2001-2010).

Prior to joining the University of Hawaii, Dr. Grace was Director of the Urban Entomology Program in the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Toronto (1986-1990). He was employed in the pest control industry in California from 1975-1986, where he first became interested in pursuing a career in entomology (the study of insects).

As an entomologist, Dr. Grace’s personal research interests include the biology, behavior, ecology and management of urban and structural pests, with an emphasis on termites and wood protection. He has published over 290 technical articles, and has been a frequent invited speaker at national and international conferences and symposia. Dr. Grace has served as a member of the Pest Control Advisory Committee of the State of Hawaii Regulated Industries Complaints Office, a member of the Pest Control Board of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, an executive committee member of the Coffee Berry Borer Task Force, the university's representative on the inter-agency Hawaii Invasive Species Council, a member of the National Technical Advisory Committee for Project Full-Stop (USDA-ARS), and as international adviser to the Institute for Sustainable Human-habitability, Kyoto University.

Honors Received:

• 2016 Keynote Speaker, Pest Control Operators of California and Hawaii Pest Control Association Expo and Learning Conference, Honolulu.
• 2014 Keynote Speaker, Pacific Rim Termite Research Group 10th Meeting, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• 2013 Distinguished Service Award, Hawaii Pest Control Association.
• 2013 Colley / Hartford Memorial Research Lecture, Annual Meeting of the American Wood Protection Association.
• 2008 Alvin and Charlotte Nakamura Hoku Award , College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa.
• 2007 Speaker, University of Hawaii at Manoa Faculty Lecture Series.
• 2001 Award of Merit for Outstanding Contributions to Research, Gamma Sigma Delta (Honor Society of Agriculture), University of Hawaii at Manoa.
• 1998 Award of Recognition for Research Productivity, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa.
• 1998 Speaker in Maile Lecture Series, University of Hawaii President's Club.
• 1996 National Award for Research Excellence, Orkin Pest Control.
• 1989 Honorary Life Member, Royal Canadian Institute, Toronto.

• Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) is the most devastating virus disease of bananas. The virus is transmitted by the banana aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa) in a persistent manner. New growth from infected plants is stunted and distorted, resulting in a characteristic "bunchy top" appearance. No fruit is produced on infected plants, and a high incidence of BBTV in production areas can cause complete yield loss. Specific objectives of this project are: (1) to develop rapid, sensitive, and reliable assays for detection of BBTV in plants and insects; (2) to characterize the genome organization and vector transmission of BBTV; and (3) to develop resistant transgenic banana plants to control BBTV.
• Mealybug wilt of pineapple (MWP) is a devastating disease found in all the pineapple-growing regions of the world. The disease is characterized by severe leaf tip dieback, downward curling of the leaf margins, and reddening and wilting of the leaves that can lead to total collapse of the plant. Specific objectives of this project include: (1) to develop rapid detection assays for the closterovirus; (2) to study the cause (etiology) of MWP; (3) to examine the epidemiology of the virus; and (4) to develop alternative, environmentally sound strategies to manage MWP.

• Please visit https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/rubinoffd/rubinoff_lab/danrubinoff/rubinoff.htm for an updated webpage and introduction to our Lab!
•  
• Invasive Species: Using DNA sequence data and ecological studies to understand the distribution and impact of invasive species in Hawaii e.g. revealing pathways by which invasive species invade.
• Insect Systematics: Using molecular and morphological data to establish relationships between known and new species with specific reference to endemic Hawaiian species and problematic invasive species. 
• Conservation Biology: Using filed and lab work to understand the causes for native insect and plant decline and developing synthetic research products which will allow more effective land management and native insect and plant conservation.