University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� researchers and graduate students played a major role in the ʻUlu Hoʻolauleʻa, a week-long celebration of ʻulu (breadfruit) held September 19–25 throughout Kona on Hawaiʻi Island, including the 8th Global Breadfruit Summit.

The event highlighted the cultural significance, scientific research and future of ʻulu, a traditional staple crop in Hawaiʻi and across the Pacific. Approximately 2,000 people attended the engaging events such as the ʻulu Festival, an ʻAha ʻUlu cultural gathering and a culinary showcase featuring 20 local chefs.

Global summit explores research, cultural heritage

The three-day Global Breadfruit Summit at the Keauhou Outrigger brought together international researchers to explore ʻulu agroforestry economics, propagation methods, cultural heritage and postharvest practices.

“It is amazing to see the cross-section of value from breadfruit,” said Noa Lincoln, an associate professor who specializes in Indigenous cropping systems in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) at ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�, who served as master of ceremonies. “From cutting-edge biofuels to acknowledging breadfruit’s role in Pacific peoples’ identities.”

The summer also featured a Farm to School network gathering, where more than 30 teachers discussed incorporating ʻulu into school meals and classroom lessons. An ʻulu Education Playground workshop introduced students to hands-on activities, including kuʻi ʻulu (mashing cooked breadfruit), lei making, and cooking demonstrations.

Uplifting student researchers

������Ƶ ����ԴDz� students shared their research, displayed insightful posters, and volunteered throughout the week.

“Sharing with farmers, researchers, and community members all in one room was really special,” said Ryan Weiskopf, a ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� graduate student in the Department of Tropical Plants and Soil Science who presented research on the economics of breadfruit agroforestry. “The conversations that took place could only have happened face-to-face.”

A U.S. Department of Agriculture grant supported graduate student participation by paying for registration, travel, and lodging.

Summit proceedings are underway for publication by CTAHR, and organizers are planning the next global gathering in two years, tentatively scheduled for Tahiti.

Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (CTAHR) have achieved a breakthrough in floriculture by breeding new “tropical” pincushion protea (Leucospermum) hybrids that bloom near sea level, reducing local reliance on imported flowers.

“These new genetic combinations allow growers at all elevations to harvest flowers nearly year-round. They also make colorful contributions to urban, commercial and resort landscapes,” said CTAHR Professor Kenneth Leonhardt of the Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences.

Overcoming mountain-high barrier

Pincushion proteas are native to South Africa and need cool night temperatures to grow their famous flower buds. �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s commercial protea production was limited to elevations between 2,500 and 4,000 feet, primarily in Upcountry Maui and on Hawaiʻi Island’s high-elevation areas.

This kind of agricultural land is scarce and expensive, pricing many local cut-flower growers out of the protea market.

Science behind breakthrough

Led by Leonhardt, the research team conducted years of warm-temperature tolerance trials, as well as trials at low elevations such as Two Bee’s Protea Farm on ��ʻ�����’s North Shore. He identified three seldom-used species as key sources of heat resistance and used that insight in a successful, years-long breeding program.

These new varieties of protea have several standout traits:

• Created to grow abundant floral buds in warmer, coastal environments without requiring cool mountain nights.
• Selected for vibrant colors, extended blooming seasons, straight stems and reduced leaf/stem fuzz.
• 18 of the new cultivars have been internationally registered in Stellenbosch, South Africa, establishing CTAHR as a premier global leader in tropical ornamental breeding.

Benefits to local growers

The college and its partners have distributed more than 11,000 of the newly bred plants to 33 Hawaiʻi Island farms. Most of these distributions have been in collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Tropical Flower Council through their Import Replacement Program, funded by a grant from the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

Leonhardt and his team are also working with producers of container landscape plants to establish the new tropical proteas in home gardens and commercial and resort landscapes.

Hawaiʻi farmers are learning how to integrate aquaculture to their operations through GoFish Hawaiʻi, a University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� program designed to expand food security. Led by Assistant Professor Kai Fox and Professor Ted Radovich, the program operates at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience’s Center for Applied Research and Extension Services in Waimānalo.

Since the program began in 2020, GoFish Hawaiʻi has trained more than 70 participants. The aquaculture program combines five workshops, field experience, technical assistance and online learning. Participants include beginning farmers, Native Hawaiian producers, military veterans and local educators.

Responding to community needs

The program’s goal is to increase commercial aquaculture across Hawaiʻi and boost the state’s food security.

“GoFish was developed to respond to community demand for practical, locally relevant training that helps participants pursue aquaculture as a business, career, or addition to an integrated venture on an existing farm,” Fox said.

Beginning aquaculture students study fish husbandry, aquaponic system design, water quality management, plant nutrition and business economics. Students learn to use nutrient-rich water to produce a wide variety of vegetables and fruit trees, reducing fertilizer costs and water consumption.

Workforce development

Among students is Jack Lee, a Cohort 3 participant who is developing a commercial aquaponics farm in Kahuku.

“Without the GoFish program, I don’t think I would have the confidence to start up a larger-scale commercial operation,” Lee said.

The program’s next phase will expand workforce development and entrepreneurship by connecting alumni with apprenticeships, job opportunities and direct-to-consumer markets.

GoFish is supported by CTAHR, the college’s Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture, and ������Ƶ Sea Grant.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Extension agent Ty McDonald has achieved a milestone with his educational video series on avocado grafting reaching elite educational content status on YouTube.

The two-part series on grafting avocado trees— and —has earned more than 251,000 and 221,000 views, respectively. Fewer than 0.5% of educational videos on YouTube reach more than 250,000 views.

McDonald, an associate extension agent at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR), produced the series in 2012 in collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Tropical Fruit Growers.

‘What, why, when, and how’ of grafting

McDonald manages the West Hawaiʻi Master Gardener Program in Kona. He brings decades of experience to the series, having first learned grafting techniques at a major Kona avocado nursery in 1985.

In the videos, McDonald addresses the “what, why, when, and how” of grafting while sharing nuanced tips on knife skills and scion cuts that are often missing from other tutorials.

“Grafting is often described as a combination of art and science,” he said. “I explained all the scientific principles behind it, and then I’ve got a certain amount of skill now from having done it a long time to actually make the cuts, and that’s where the art comes in.”

The series steadily attracts more viewers every year. For McDonald, who has served as a ������Ƶ extension agent for over two decades, helping others is the true reward.

“It’s the combination of numerous positive comments regarding the quality and helpfulness of the information delivered that is most validating,” McDonald said. “It is also very gratifying when folks tell me they learned how to graft by watching these videos.”

A living laboratory at the University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz�’s Magoon Research and Education Station is exploring ways to cool buildings and homes without expensive electricity bills while increasing local food production.

Led by Andy Kaufman, associate professor in the (CTAHR), the project evaluates vegetated roof and living wall systems designed for tropical island environments.

“There’s nothing like this that we know of in the world that’s this high-tech and this real-world application,” Kaufman said.

Eco-shed testing site

The half-acre facility features miniature structures called “eco-sheds” set in gravel to simulate dense urban centers. One traditional asphalt-shingle shed serves as a baseline control. Four experimental sheds test commercial tray installations along with single-layer planted roofs.

Kaufman and his team compare the performance of native Hawaiian and non-invasive ornamental plants under identical conditions. Solar panels power all monitoring equipment, keeping operations off the electrical grid.

Monitors located outside and inside each eco-shed record internal heat, humidity, soil moisture, and solar radiation. Early trials on unplanted roof media showed cooling capacity before vegetation took root.

“Before we planted, when we just had the media on, we had an eight- to nine-degree difference between the control shed and the sheds that had just the media on the roof,” Kaufman said.

Lowering temperatures and growing food

Living wall systems display culinary crops like tomatoes, kale, and herbs. These systems allow apartment residents lacking yard space to produce fresh food. The team spent five years developing lightweight growth media that retain nutrients and slow stormwater runoff into ocean waters.

Eighteen students contributed to building the site and data gathering. Kaufman wants to continue hosting public tours and partner with the landscape industry, the state Department of Education, as well as other local and State governments to expand green infrastructure across Hawaiʻi.

Funding is provided by the Ulupono Initiative, the City and County of Honolulu, and the Land Economics Foundation.

Capitol Hill came to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to learn how research at the (CTAHR) is delivering high-impact solutions for Hawaiʻi and the nation.

Leaders from the United States (U.S.) House Committee on Agriculture’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology toured CTAHR labs and its Magoon Research and Education Facility in Mānoa in August. The visiting delegation was led by Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn “G.T.” Thompson (Pennsylvania), accompanied by Hawaiʻi Rep. Jill Tokuda, Reps. Frank Lucas (Oklahoma), Shontel Brown (Ohio) and Jahana Hayes (Connecticut); joining them was Hawaiʻi Congressman Ed Case.

CTAHR Dean Parwinder Grewal welcomed the lawmakers and outlined college initiatives to build resilience in agriculture and biosecurity, food and nutritional security, community resilience and well-being, and natural resource management. The group visited several research projects addressing urgent agricultural challenges in the islands and across the country.

Biosecurity, invasive species control

Professor Mike Melzer presented ongoing research on a virus that suppresses coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) populations that are devastating Hawaiʻi palm trees and coconut production. This work will protect Hawaiʻi agricultural ecosystems and safeguard the U.S. continent, particularly in states along the southwest border where CRB has been confirmed in Mexico.

Professor Daniel Jenkins demonstrated the use of drone technology in precision aerial pesticide applications; drones can deliver treatments to tree crowns infested with CRB while sparing surrounding palm trees. Professor Koon Hui Wang shared her research on biofumigants to control nematodes and parasites in the floriculture industry.

Global competitiveness

The visit highlighted aquaculture and new plant variety development that boosts �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s aquaculture industries. Professor Andre Seale shared research on tilapia, native Hawaiian sea cucumbers and striped mullet, emphasizing how these studies will advance sustainable aquaculture practices across the nation.

Researcher Tessie Amore presented decades of ornamental flower breeding, showcasing CTAHR-developed anthurium varieties such as “Lahaina,” named by Tokuda to honor the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka and his wife Millie. Created in partnership with local growers and floral designers, these varieties help keep U.S. floriculture competitive in global markets.

National clean plant collaboration and crop innovation

Extension agent Sharon Wages related how CTAHR’s clean seed lab collaborates with the National Clean Plant Network to provide virus-free sweetpotato vines locally and nationally. Extension agent Amjad Ahmad presented his work on the production of virus-free apple bananas and tissue culture and seedling distribution to growers, while Assistant Professor Marian Luis detailed clean seed cultivation strategies for export turmeric, an in-demand crop.

Following the success of the “Seed to Harvest” farming initiative, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (CTAHR) is expanding its work to boost food security and entrepreneurship on Molokaʻi with “Harvest to Market.” It’s the next step for Friendly Isle home gardeners transitioning from backyard gardening to being part of the local agricultural economy.

Seed to Harvest was created last year by Molokaʻi-based CTAHR Extension agents Kyle Franks and Jennifer Hawkins and funded by a 2025 County of Maui grant. The program recently graduated its third group of backyard farmers who have grown hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs using on-island resources.

Business of backyard farming

Harvest to Market shifts focus toward the business and entrepreneurial side of agriculture; it’s designed for home gardeners with extra produce, immersing them in marketing, pricing, budgeting and production schedules. A new opportunity emerged as the group gained confidence and grew more than one hundred pounds of cabbage.

“Our growers are doing a great job, but now they have excess,” said Franks. “So the next step is helping them get their produce to market.”

People are learning how to transform backyard fruits and vegetables into value-added goods—such as artisanal jams, jellies or freeze-dried items—that can be sold at local farmers’ markets. Franks and Hawkins guide growers through state regulatory frameworks to ensure all fresh and processed food sales comply with state health and food safety laws.

Overcoming barriers, building resilience

“Finances and food safety can be intimidating, and is where people usually just say, okay, I’m just going to do this subsistence, or I’m going to barter,” Hawkins said. “Having the resources and knowing the right people to come in makes a huge difference in the outcome of individuals and their comfort level.”

By giving residents the skills to cultivate food and the business acumen to sell it, CTAHR continues to tackle food inequity, reduce reliance on expensive imports, and foster a highly resilient community on Molokaʻi.

When Kona Low storms flooded Konawaena High School on Hawaiʻi Island in March 2026, campus repairs forced every student and teacher into distance learning less than 12 weeks before graduation. For Konawaena alumna Sophia Burgess, watching her school navigate this major disruption became the force behind her research journey.

She enrolled in the immersive eight-week Summer Research Institute (SRI), offered by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (CTAHR) to take a deep dive into the resilience of the high school’s seniors, their parents and their teachers. Burgess earned her first place overall for her poster and research presentation at the SRI competition.

Learning to conduct research

Introducing students to research is the mission of the CTAHR’s summer institute. The program challenged 43 high school students and college undergraduates to use the scientific method to investigate the barriers their communities face in food systems, environmental sustainability and resilience.

Each student was assigned a faculty mentor and spent at least 25 hours a week in research and study. Weekly lunch-and-learn sessions taught students how to define a research question, gather and analyze data, evaluate the ethics of research and the scientific method, and communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences.

Participating students also took field visits to several of CTAHR’s Centers for Applied Research and Extension Services (CARES), including stations in Pearl City and in Windward Oʻahu for activities such as tending native plant gardens, agroforestry and community gardening. Working alongside ������Ƶ researchers, students could earn valuable college credits.

The eight-week investment culminated in a poster symposium on July 24, where more than 200 family members and friends showed up to celebrate the young leaders.

“Being able to go through the research process and having those challenges and those highs made it feel a little bit more real and made me feel more prepared for the symposium, rather than just studying or reading about research,” Burgess said.

Symposium winners

• Best Overall
  • 1st place: Sophia Burgess (mentor: Marielle Hampton, assistant extension agent, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences)
  • 2nd place: Sophia Elise Morales (mentor: Zhiqiang Cheng, specialist, Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences)
  • 3rd place: Danica Ibanez (mentors: Assistant Specialist Jean Butel and Assistant Professor Lara Hackney, Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences)
• Honorable Mention
  • 1st place: Minhee Kim (mentor: Zhi Yang, assistant professor, Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences)
  • 2nd place: Noah Birn (mentor: Jane Marian Luis, assistant specialist, Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences)
  • 3rd place: Kaipo Akioka, Nainoa Johnson, and Arthur Ortiz (mentors: Assistant Specialist ‘Ilima Ho-Lastimosa and Professor Theodore Radovich, Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences)
• Director’s Award
  • Recipient: Amy Li (mentor: Jane Marian Luis, assistant specialist, Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences)

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (CTAHR) is reopening the (ADSC). Local farmers will once again have access to soil and plant testing here in Hawaiʻi at a reasonable cost, instead of sending samples to the U.S. continent.

The center’s reopening also allows CTAHR to offer free soil and plant testing through July 21, 2026 to farmers whose land and crops were affected by Kona low flooding in March and April.

Every affected farmer can submit up to three free samples for each of the following services:

• Soil nutrient analysis: To determine if essential minerals were leached.
• Plant tissue nutrient analysis: To assess the current nutrient uptake and health of surviving crops.
• Plant disease diagnostics: To identify plant pathogens/outbreaks that may impact crops following flooding.
• Insect identification: To monitor for shifts in pest populations following the storms.

The ADSC will continue to provide soil and plant testing services at reasonable prices to farmers who were not affected by the floods.

“The reopening is a pivotal moment in CTAHR’s mission to support stakeholders and food security across the state,” said CTAHR Dean Parwinder Grewal. “Fortunately the timing of the reopening also means we can deliver more support to farmers recovering from the floods. We are providing these tests at no cost for the next three months to help our agricultural partners get back on their feet.”

“ADSC has reopened with an improved customer experience, including online payments, rapid turnaround of results, and interpretation of results and recommendations by CTAHR experts,” Parwinder said.

Brian Miyamoto, executive director of the Hawaii Farm Bureau, noted, “The reopening of the ADSC, along with three months of free testing, comes at a crucial time and helps farmers move forward with recovery and replanting. CTAHR is truly stepping up for our farmers, and we appreciate their leadership and commitment to supporting �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s agricultural community during this critical time.”

CTAHR is working to further expand its services to include seed testing, heavy metal testing, animal health diagnostics and food nutrient content analysis for food product labeling. ADSC is also expanding its seed production capacity and will add clean seedling production, which are young plants that are free from germs or disease.

Order soil, plant tests online

Farmers can order tests, find sampling instructions, and a list of CTAHR facilities on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Molokaʻi and Kauaʻi accepting samples at the .

Temporary in-person collection site until July 21, 2026

To increase accessibility for ��ʻ�����’s heavily affected north shore community, a temporary collection site has been set up at Twin Bridge Farms in Waialua:

• Soil and plant samples can be dropped off at Twin Bridge on Mondays between 8 a.m and noon
• Soil samples can also be dropped off on Thursdays between 8 a.m. and noon.

Farmers should call CTAHR at (808) 453-6050 or ugc@hawaii.edu to confirm they are dropping off samples at Twin Bridge Farms.

Permanent collection sites

Drop off sites for samples on Oʻahu are:

• The Urban Garden Center in Pearl City on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., 955 Kamehameha Hwy., behind the Home Depot.
• Farmers should contact (808) 453-6050 or ugc@hawaii.edu to confirm they plan to drop off samples.
• ������Ƶ ��ā�ԴDz�’s Sherman Lab, room 115, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 1910 East-West Rd., Honolulu HI 96822.
• Farmers should call (808) 956-5437 or adsc@hawaii.edu to confirm they plan to drop off samples.

������Ƶ the ADSC of drop off locations, including the neighbor islands.

This week’s ������Ƶ News Image of the Week is from ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�’�� Teresita Amore, an associate professor of in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience.

Amore shared: “Gecko admiring bird of paradise flower outside Paradise Palms.”

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Newly released, first-of-its-kind agriculture maps of the state of Hawaiʻi are expected to help policymakers, land managers and researchers better monitor crop diversity, evaluate land-use change and design programs that support food security and sustainable agriculture. Experts said the new resource can also assist with post-fire disaster assessments, and in the near future, could potentially help better evaluate wildfire risks before a major disaster occurs, such as the 2023 Maui wildfires.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, led by project director Qi Chen in the , in collaboration with the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), released the high-resolution, crop-specific dataset called Hawaiʻi Cropland Data Layer (HCDL). The maps are publicly available via NASS’s geospatial portals: and .

Filling in the map ‘desert’

NASS collaborated with ������Ƶ Mānoa to develop HCDL by using Google Earth Engine and Google’s DeepMind AI-powered data. Hawaiʻi was previously a “desert” for annual agricultural maps, said Chen in the . He said the lack of maps hinders efforts to track crops, assess land use and support food security in Hawaiʻi.

“This gap in knowledge became especially evident during the 2023 Maui wildfires, when USDA and state agencies had only limited capacity to assess the agricultural impact,” Chen said. “Without up-to-date, field-scale crop maps, agencies were unable to quickly quantify the extent of cropland loss, identify which crops were most affected or prioritize recovery resources. Instead, assessments had to be pieced together from outdated maps, secondary sources and on-the-ground reports, delaying an accurate picture of the disaster’s effect on Hawaiʻi’s agricultural sector.”

Maps are currently available for 2024 and 2023. NASS plans to release HCDL for the 2025 crop year in February 2026. This project was supported by a $268,472 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Importance of agriculture maps

Chen said developing such maps for Hawaiʻi is particularly critical because of the state’s unique agricultural landscape. Unlike large-scale monocultures (the practice of growing a single species of plant over a large area), which are common on the U.S. continent, Hawaiʻi’s farms are often small, fragmented and characterized by diverse crops cultivated side by side.

“While it makes mapping more difficult, it also means that accurate, high-resolution crop maps can provide transformative insights into resource allocation, irrigation planning, invasive species management and resilience to environmental change,” said Zhe Li, project co-director and geographer in the USDA.

Li added that since annual crop maps for Hawaiʻi are now available, they can be integrated with real-time satellite data on weather, drought and wildfire risk to safeguard agricultural production.

“Consider a situation similar to the 2023 Maui wildfires: If high-resolution crop maps had been in place, emergency managers could have quickly overlaid fire perimeters with known crop locations to estimate economic losses and identify which producers needed the most help and immediate support,” Chen said. “Beyond disaster response, the same maps could also be used proactively—by identifying cropland areas most vulnerable to drought or invasive species, with agencies directing irrigation resources, extension services or pest management programs to the farmers who need them most.”

In addition to Chen and Li, members of the research team include: Noa Lincoln, researcher in the in ������Ƶ ��ā�ԴDz�’s ; Zhengwei Yang, geographer with USDA; Haonan Chen, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at Colorado State University; and Changyong Cao, chief of NOAA’s Satellite Calibration and Data Assimilation Branch in Satellite Meteorology and Climatology Division.

A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa project to explore how bacteria and fungi interact that could shed light on health, environmental and even household issues has been awarded a $591,606 federal grant.

The project, “Bacterial dispersal and nutrient transport along fungal highways,” looks at how bacteria move with the help of fungi. It will be led by ������Ƶ Mānoa Associate Professors Daisuke Takagi from the in the and Nhu Nguyen from the in the .

While fungi are often thought of as molds or mushrooms, they also create tiny thread-like structures called hyphae that form networks across every exposed surface. These fungal “highways” can help bacteria spread and transport substances, including nutrients or harmful compounds, into new environments. By building mathematical models and testing them in controlled experiments, the ������Ƶ team aims to better understand how this partnership works and how it affects larger systems.

“This project lets us combine math and biology to uncover the hidden rules of how bacteria spread, which could impact everything from health to the environment,” Takagi said.

Nguyen added, “This grant allows us to explore how tiny interactions between microbes can shape bigger systems like soils, crops, indoor environments and natural ecosystems that people depend on every day.”

The researchers will study how bacteria travel along fungal networks, how they respond to changes in their environment and how they may carry other molecules with them. The findings could help explain how bacteria spread on human skin, across our food, as well as how they move through soil or buildings.

Collaborative research digs in

In the long run, this knowledge could inform public health strategies, agriculture and environmental management. The award highlights ������Ƶ ��ā�ԴDz�’s growing role in advancing cross-disciplinary research that bridges biology and mathematics to address complex, real-world challenges.

“One of the best parts of doing research at ������Ƶ is the collaboration—working across different fields is incredibly fun and rewarding,” Takagi said. “Learning from one another often leads to discoveries we couldn’t make alone.”

The three-year grant is jointly supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation through a program that funds projects at the intersection of biology and mathematics.

University of Hawaiʻi at ����ԴDz� alumna India Kawelolani Calso Ching is blending soil science with cultural pride as the newly crowned Miss Oʻahu Filipina. Her journey from studying soil health at the to earning this year’s Miss Oʻahu Filipina title is a study in personal growth and community.

Ching majored in natural resources and environmental management at CTAHR, with a focus in plant conservation and ecosystem management. However, a soil science class provided new perspectives.

“There’s so much about soils that I never knew before,” Ching said, noting that the class revealed “the chemical, physical, and biological properties of soil” and the “huge diversity of soils that we have here in Hawaiʻi.”

After graduating from ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�, her newfound interest led to her work as a laboratory technician in the soil health lab. She’s currently working on an artificial intelligence-driven farm irrigation project.

Challenging herself to grow

Just as she stepped out of her comfort zone to study soil health, Ching also challenged herself to grow entering a pageant for the first time. While many people see pageants as just a beauty contest, she discovered it was much more than that.

“It’s totally about developing your public speaking skills, being more immersed in your culture, and becoming the best version of yourself,” she said.

Her pageant platforms centered on food security and dance, a topic sparked by her CTAHR education. Ching’s pageant speech highlighted the importance of agriculture and food security, aiming to educate youth and honor the legacy of her great-grandfather, who was a “sakada,” or Filipino plantation laborer who laid the foundation for the Filipino community in Hawaiʻi.

Ching will compete for the Miss Hawaiʻi Filipina title on August 9, representing Oʻahu amid contestants from other islands.

Two faculty members from the University of Hawaiʻi at ��ā�ԴDz�’s (CTAHR) were recognized as 2024 Volunteers of the Year by the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS).

Their collective efforts brought the beauty and innovation of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s horticulture to an international audience at the 2024 ASHS Annual Conference.

Teresita Amore

CTAHR Associate Researcher Teresita Amore’s talent and dedication were displayed in the floral arrangements she curated for the event. Amore, who is also a CTAHR alumni, worked behind the scenes, transforming the stage and social spaces with local flowers and foliage. Organizers say her attention to detail and ability to bring the beauty of nature into every corner elevated the experience for attendees.

Hannah Lutgen

CTAHR Junior Extension Agent Hannah Lutgen provided floral arrangements at the conference by bringing a suitcase filled with flowers from Maui. Lutgen’s contribution, paired with Amore’s creativity, helped bring a vibrant touch to the event.

“Russell Galanti, Orville Baldos and Tessie did an excellent job and designed the stage arrangements,” said Lutgen. “It was a team effort and many thanks to Tessie for her outstanding leadership.”

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources has officially changed its name to the (CTAHR), in a step that CTAHR Dean Parwinder Grewal said will better reflect the college’s mission and vision (below).

“This update embodies our college’s commitment to fostering resilience across individuals, communities, economies and ecosystems, emphasizing its focus on sustainable agriculture, climate change adaptation, and family and community well-being,” said Grewal. “We at CTAHR define human resilience as building individual, community and environmental endurance in the face of challenges such as climate change.”

CTAHR aims to lead research and educational initiatives that help prepare Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region to respond to and recover from climate-driven impacts to agriculture and communities.

“Our programs are centered on enhancing the human condition through a comprehensive approach to building resilience in agricultural and natural systems in the face of climate change,” said Grewal.

The process to change the name, which retains the college’s well known acronym, CTAHR, began shortly after Grewal started as dean of the college in March 2024. He had a series of meetings with faculty, students, staff, and alumni who all supported the name change proposal. A survey conducted among CTAHR faculty, staff, students, alumni and stakeholders found that more than 67% of respondents endorsed the change, with more than 72% agreeing that “human resilience” better captures the college’s mission and values.

The mission of several of CTAHR‘s departments already reflect the name change such as the , which conducts research and teaching programs on individual and family resiliency. The focuses on research and academic programs in human nutrition and dietetics, to enhance nutritional health of individuals, children and families. The explores human dimensions research through the relationships between humans and the natural environment for improved human management decisions and policy creation. CTAHR‘s extension programs focus on improving economic, social, and health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities and offer youth development programs such as 4-H to build teenage resiliency.

The school will be changing its signage and webpages over the coming months to reflect the name change. “Human Resources” was added to the then “College of Tropical Agriculture” in 1978 when the college merged with the ������Ƶ Hawaiʻi Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, which was dissolved in 1999. The meaning of “human resources” has since shifted from resources for people, like healthy food and clean water, to primarily being associated with business and personnel management.

CTAHR was the very first college at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa when it was founded in 1907 under the Morrill Act as a land-grant college of agriculture and mechanic arts. The flagship campus now has 17 colleges and schools.

CTAHR Mission

CTAHR creates and delivers knowledge that supports and strengthens families, agricultural and food systems, and the natural environment. We educate and serve the people of Hawaiʻi and those from around the world with integrity and excellence.

CTAHR Vision

CTAHR provides exceptional education, research, and extension programs in tropical agriculture and food systems, family and consumer science, and natural resource management for Hawaiʻi and the international community. We cultivate innovative scientific inquiry, solve real world challenges, and provide experiential learning in an interdisciplinary setting with global impacts.

What’s the appetite for hot peppers among local growers? To gauge how well specialty peppers would grow in Hawaiʻi and how productive they might be, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (CTAHR) Oʻahu extension hosted a field day at the Waimānalo Research Station over the summer.

Chili peppers are commonly used, both fresh and dried, in many different culinary dishes, however, the production of other chili types has not been nearly as common in Hawaiʻi.

CTAHR extension agent Jensen Uyeda, and specialists Ted Radovich, Tina Mueller and Jari Sugano provided growers and home gardeners with applied science-based information on producing specialty peppers such as jalapeños, green peppers, paprika and other dry chiles.

“Our objective of the chili peppers field day was to spark interest in producing these foods and to help further diversify the agricultural market,” said Uyeda, of the . “We also wanted to provide another ‘value-added’ option for local growers, since dried chilis and hot sauces are such common products—and access to local peppers would help to increase the marketability of these products.”

Participants also took a walk through the field and greenhouse to get hands-on experience harvesting peppers—and to collect pepper samples to take home.

To address pressing issues for the Pacific Islands such as soil degradation, wildfires, climate change and loss of biodiversity, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa hosted two conferences focused on the study of clay with experts from around the world. The 61st annual meeting of the Clay Minerals Society and 5th Asian Clay Conference were held in June.

The Clay Minerals Society conference’s theme “Expanding Clay Science over the Pacific and Beyond” helped (CTAHR) scientists’ expand their horizons in soil and agricultural sciences.

The conference provided essential knowledge for addressing environmental challenges effectively. Onsite coordination for the conference (and concurrent 5th Asian Clay Conference)—from inception to the final huakaʻi—was provided by the (NREM) and (TPSS).

In honor of the late Goro Uehara, CTAHR’s internationally acclaimed soil sciences professor, the conference included a special session on variable charge clays that highly influence the behavior of tropical soils.

“I personally feel that this experience has elevated our research group,” PhD student Kristy Lam said. “Mahalo piha to Clay Minerals Society [CMS] chair Yuji Arai and CMS Editor-in-Chief Joseph Stucki for providing us an opportunity to honor both Goro and our elemental ancestors that give birth to our life-giving soils.”

Local planning was led by Susan Crow, Jonathan Deenik, David Pompeani and Tai Maaz as the co-directors of CTAHR’s new soil health, environment and ecosystem resilience (S(HEE)R) Lab. NREM researcher Linden Schneider brought student volunteers from across the ������Ƶ System to support the technical capacity, and Lam organized the opening kīpaepae in collaboration with Hālau ʻŌhiʻa, the huakaʻi to explore the geology, soils and history of southeast Oʻahu in collaboration with Deenik and Scott Rowland of the .

“I would like to thank ������Ƶ for arranging and coordinating the student volunteers,” said Arai, of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and General Chairman of the Conference. “Thank you for your hard work. Your time and support meant a lot to us.”

A researcher at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (CTAHR) received a Fellow of the American Society of Plant Biology (ASPB) Award which is granted to no more than 0.2% of the current membership each year. Robert Paull, of the , will be formally recognized in June during the ASPB’s Annual Plant Biology Conference. In 2014, he was previously made a Fellow of both the American Society for Horticulture Sciences and the International Society for Horticulture Science.

Paull’s research has led to improved crop growth and yield under environmental stress, and extended postharvest life of tropical ornamentals, fruits and vegetables. His research is valued by the agricultural industry, and his publications have led to more than 17,300 citations in his career, with about 1,000 citations per year since 2019. Paull has been placed on Stanford University’s list of the top 2% of the most-cited scientists in various fields (2022–23).

“Unique to Robert is his willingness to energetically help anyone on any project who requests his assistance,” said David Christopher of the . “He has formed a cadre of respected and grateful national and international academic colleagues, farmers, industry scientists and friends who value his collaborations.”

Paull has made numerous contributions to the areas of tropical and subtropical fruit, nut, vegetables, ornamental physiology and genetics, their postharvest physiology, handling and storage. He has co-authored five books; edited an encyclopedia, seven volumes and proceedings; authored 127 book chapters; and published 151 peer-reviewed journal articles and 138 conference abstracts and presentations.

“We congratulate Robert for his lifetime of diverse, impactful, and exceptional contributions to tropical agriculture, the field of plant biology and for bringing prestige to the University of Hawaiʻi,” said Christopher.

The award is a recognition of a lifetime of distinguished contributions to plant biology and to serve society in areas including research, education, mentoring, collaborations, outreach, and professional and public service.

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Bryceson Gregory Kealiʻiwiwoʻoleikamaunakiʻekiʻe Tugade is hoping to convey some important messages as a student speaker at the ’s commencement ceremony on December 9.

Always seek the “more” in life. Remain curious. Give back to your community. And one of the most valuable messages: Utilize education as a key tool for attaining personal growth and breaking down barriers.

Tugade, 23, of Aliamanu, will receive a bachelor of applied science with a concentration in (SCFS) at .

“As a first-generation college student, this means the world and so much more,” said Tugade, who is Filipino, Native Hawaiian and Chinese. “This upcoming graduation stands as a testament to my family, peers and larger community that education can be a key driver in overcoming and breaking perceived barriers.”

Emerging leader

After graduating from Radford High School in 2018, Tugade enrolled at , where he graduated in spring 2021 with an associate in science in sustainable agriculture—becoming the first in his family to receive a college degree. He then transferred in fall 2021 to ������Ƶ West Oʻahu in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree.

“I was initially scared of the prospect of advancing my education,” Tugade said. “However, with staff and faculty assistance, I was not only becoming increasingly confident in my ability to perform within an academic realm, but pursuit of opportunities elsewhere was not met with doubt.”

Tugade has thrived—academically, professionally and personally—during his time at ������Ƶ West Oʻahu. He found mentors in Albie Miles, his academic advisor and an associate professor in the SCFS program, as well as Indrajit Gunasekara, co-founder of the (cultural agroforestry) movement and ������Ƶ West Oʻahu financial aid officer, whom Tugade calls, “my aya (older brother in Sri Lankan).”

Gunasekara said Tugade’s passionate commitment to the Aloha ʻĀina (love of the land) movement is very inspiring to many.

“He’s always driven to expand his understanding of the work we do with the perspective of Indigenous understanding of where his roots belong, as well as making meaning within the framework of scientific theoretical engagement,” Gunasekara said. “He is a remarkable person, a highly intelligent and deep thinker who’s always ready to step in and to support whenever, whatever capacity the help is needed.”

Miles said Tugade has proven to be an exceptional multidisciplinary food system scholar.

“He has a keen interest in the biophysical sciences, working on the genetics of Polynesian introduced crops with mentors at ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�, while excelling in his understanding of the root causes of many of the challenges we face in the food system of Hawaiʻi and beyond,” Miles said.

‘For my dad’

Tugade aspires to earn a master of science degree at ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�, and eventually a PhD in tropical plant and soil sciences.

“I plan to continue addressing the layers of work that must be done to identify the current environmental, agricultural and social obstacles we face in Hawaiʻi, and strive to find solutions to assist and serve my community,” Tugade said. “By blending my understanding of science and Indigenous Hawaiian knowledge, I can help my community to reclaim control of our local and traditional food systems for health and livelihood.”

Although Tugade didn’t always see himself pursuing a degree as he was growing up, the prospect of higher learning was always a conversation in his household, and his father emphasized the value of education. His family would participate in fundraising events for students in his father’s barrio (town) of Bacar, Magsingal, in the Ilocos Sur region of the Philippines.

“During this semester, my resilience was tested once more—my father unexpectedly passed away this October from an advanced stage of TB,” Tugade said. “From grieving with my ʻohana, to focusing on graduation, and navigating a world without him, I hope to embody resilience and the significant role education can play in our lives.”

He added, “This upcoming graduation is for my dad.”

For more visit .

—by Zenaida Serrano Arvman

In the wake of the devastating Lahaina wildfire in August 2023, researchers from different fields at the University of Hawaiʻi are embarking on two public impact research projects focused on transforming how we monitor and respond to disasters in the agricultural sector, and analyzing the possible effects of chromium on Lahaina agricultural lands. The projects earned a combined more than $519,000 in grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Safeguarding Hawaiʻi’s agriculture

Dubbed AgriWatch, this project, funded by a $268,472 grant, aims to bring real-time monitoring and accurate assessments to the forefront of disaster management.

“The unprecedented destruction, loss of life and extensive damage to Maui’s agricultural areas revealed a critical need for real-time monitoring and accurate disaster impact assessments,” said Qi Chen, project director and professor in the at ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�. “The goal of AgriWatch is to understand vulnerabilities, mitigate risks and foster resilient agriculture practices by developing rapid response and impact monitoring and assessment capabilities for disasters related to fire and agriculture in Hawaiʻi.”

The research team will leverage cutting-edge technologies, including AI, satellite remote sensing, cloud computing and web applications. They plan to create high-resolution crop data layers for 2023 and 2024, using proven deep learning methods. These methods, previously successful in California and Texas, will be adapted for the unique needs of Hawaiʻi. The team will also assemble high-resolution fire and vegetation condition maps, and will create an online disaster monitoring and impact assessment platform that enables near real-time disaster monitoring and impact assessment.

Collaborations are planned with farmer-supporting organizations statewide to provide outreach and training in the use of the data and tools. Organizations include Hawaiʻi Farmers’ Union United, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, the Hawaiʻi Food Hub Hui and the ������Ƶ Cooperative Extension Services. High school and undergraduate students, including from the Hawaiʻi State 4-H program, will also be invited to participate in research activities.

AgriWatch will fill knowledge and data gaps in crop types, provide open data access and online tools for near real-time disaster monitoring and assessment, restore food production and mitigate disaster risks. Current plans are to have the project developed and ready to use by November 2024.

“AgriWatch will improve understanding of vulnerabilities, develop resilient agricultural practices, and empower farmers and decision makers for rapid responses to future disasters,” said Zhe Li, project co-director and geographer with the USDA. “By integrating state-of-the-art technologies, collaboration and education, the initiative aims not only to address the aftermath of the Maui fire disaster, but to also build a foundation for a more resilient and adaptive agricultural landscape.”

In addition to Chen and Li, members of the research team include: Noa Lincoln, project co-director and associate researcher in the in ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�’�� ; Zhengwei Yang, project co-director and geographer with USDA; Haonan Chen, project co-director and assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at Colorado State University; and Changyong Cao, project collaborator and chief of NOAA’s Satellite Calibration and Data Assimilation Branch in Satellite Meteorology and Climatology Division.

Investigating possible dangers of chromium

Volcanic Hawaiʻi soils contain large amounts of chromium. Chromium itself isn’t toxic, however, when heated, chromium can become highly toxic and easily spread. The toxic chromium can affect public health in agricultural communities through multiple exposure routes, including direct skin contact, dust inhalation and drinking water consumption.

This project, funded by a $250,942 grant and led by ������Ƶ ����ԴDz� and Professor Tao Yan, will investigate the abundance of the toxic chromium in the Maui wildfire-impacted soil, and develop cost effective and practical bioremediation strategies.

Yan and his research team will determine the impact of the wildfires on the toxic chromium levels in agricultural and forest soils through field sampling and laboratory experiments. The team will also conduct laboratory experiments to test mulching and acidic compost amendments as cost-effective and practical bioremediation strategies to reduce the toxic soil.

“The anticipated impact is not limited to the improved understanding of the wildfires’ impact on the toxic chromium soil and the development of bioremediation strategies, but also to educate and communicate the associated public health risks to the impacted communities,” Yan said.