{"id":239950,"date":"2026-09-01T12:11:25","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T22:11:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=239950"},"modified":"2026-09-01T13:28:26","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T23:28:26","slug":"federal-lawmakers-ag-facilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/09\/01\/federal-lawmakers-ag-facilities\/","title":{"rendered":"Congressional leaders tour 糖心视频<\/abbr> high-impact agricultural research facilities"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

\"people<\/p>\n

Capitol Hill came to the University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at Mānoa<\/span> to learn how research at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience<\/a> (CTAHR<\/abbr>) is delivering high-impact solutions for Hawaiʻi<\/span> and the nation.<\/p>\n

Leaders from the United States (U.S.<\/abbr>) House Committee on Agriculture\u2019s Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology toured CTAHR<\/abbr> labs and its Magoon Research and Education Facility in Mānoa<\/span> in August. The visiting delegation was led by Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn “G.T.” Thompson (Pennsylvania), accompanied by Hawaiʻi<\/span> Rep. Jill Tokuda, Reps. Frank Lucas (Oklahoma), Shontel Brown (Ohio) and Jahana Hayes (Connecticut); joining them was Hawaiʻi<\/span> Congressman Ed Case.<\/p>\n

\"people<\/p>\n

CTAHR<\/abbr> 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.<\/p>\n

Biosecurity, invasive species control<\/h2>\n

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

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

Global competitiveness<\/h2>\n
\"man
Case with a Native Hawaiian sea cucumber at the aquaculture station at CTAHR<\/abbr>\u2019s Magoon Research and Education Facility.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The visit highlighted aquaculture and new plant variety development that boosts Hawaiʻi\u2019s<\/span> 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.<\/p>\n

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

National clean plant collaboration and crop innovation<\/h2>\n

Extension agent Sharon Wages related how CTAHR<\/abbr>\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Capitol Hill came to the 糖心视频<\/abbr> Mānoa<\/span> to learn how research at CTAHR<\/abbr> is delivering high-impact solutions for Hawaiʻi<\/span> and the nation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":239957,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[212,265,1485,359,432,9],"class_list":["post-239950","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-college-of-tropical-agriculture-and-human-resilience","tag-cooperative-extension-service","tag-human-nutrition-food-and-animal-sciences","tag-plant-and-environmental-protection-sciences","tag-tropical-plant-and-soil-sciences","tag-uh-manoa","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t