What is Public Issues Education (PIE)?
PIE Center-Hawai‘i is a new area of research and outreach in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) that measures consumer and constituent knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes about agriculture and natural resource issues that affect the State of Hawai‘i. This information is then used to create educational materials, extension programming, and training for industry. Additionally, PIE Center-Hawai‘i faculty work with Extension Agents and agricultural professionals to better communicate the latest information to the public.
PIE Center-Hawai‘i works with professionals in many academic fields to represent the most current and accurate information about agriculture and natural resource issues. Our goal is to provide this information to the public and policy makers so informed decisions can be made to protect and preserve agriculture and natural resources in Hawai‘i.
Why PIE?
CTAHR realizes the disconnect between the farm and the plate and the lack of conversations about agriculture to this point…we want to be a part of the solution. There are many sources of information out there, but whom do you trust? Facts, politics, agenda, and emotions drive many of these sources. We are part of the University of Hawaii, a land-grant institution. Therefore, we are a federally and state funded institution, we are public researchers, and we have an obligation to report unbiased research to the general public for our advancement as a society.