Student and Faculty Activities

This year, CTAHR hit an all time record by sponsoring the biggest Blood Drive on the UHM campus and exceeding our Blood Drive pint goal by collecting 103 pints of blood. What an exciting way to kick off our Centennial year! Since each unit of blood can be separated into three components, as many as 309 lives can be saved as a direct result of our generous donors. Our gratitude extends to all who participated in this important community event. Your time and efforts are truly appreciated by not only the Blood Bank of Hawaii, but the many families whose lives are affected by your gift of life.

CTAHR's 20th Annual Student Research Symposium, held April 11-12, drew students from all six departments in CTAHR to present their findings and learn new ideas and techniques. The Agricultural Sciences building was an excellent venue for bringing students, faculty, and friends together in an informal, intimate setting that promoted inquiry and discussion. A total of 93 (45 poster and 48 oral) presentations, more than ever before, described scholarly work ranging from fundamental investigations to novel applications and undergraduate capstone projects, representing all stages of the research and development process, and undergraduate learning process. Thirty- four student presenters, more than ever before, received awards from the college, Gamma Sigma Delta, and CTAHR’s departments, in recognition of their excellent work. Thank you to the student participants, the Symposium Planning Committee, judges, session moderators and friends of CTAHR for contributing to this lively educational exchange.

This year we will be honoring two exceptional individuals. Our Ka Lei Hano Awardee is Monty Richards, Chairman of the Board of Kahua Ranch and longtime member of the Dean’s Board of Advisors, as well as a leader in the community and a dedicated supporter of agriculture. The Outstanding Alumnus of the Year is Dr. Po-Yung Lai, Vice President of Academic Affairs of the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology in his native Taiwan, and a former administrator with both the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and CTAHR.

More than five hundred fifth graders and their teachers attended this fun-filled, educational event held at CTAHR’s Urban Garden Center in Pearl City on April 26, 2007. The fifth graders learned new facts about plants, invasive species, biotechnology, bioremediation, and healthy living among other topics. The Awareness Day also exposed students to important issues concerning agriculture and natural resource management, and introduced them to the broad spectrum of careers in agriculture and environmental science. The students also had an Agriculture and Environmental Quiz to do as they visited the various exhibits and sessions. We would like to congratulate the students from Momilani Elementary who demonstrated the most knowledge gained during the event. The students will be enjoying a pizza party on CTAHR for a job well done.

Based on the evaluations of the event, teachers indicated that both the students and the teachers enjoyed the event and it was a positive learning experience. They all agreed or strongly agreed that the content presented was applicable to the class and curriculum and they would like to attend future Agriculture and Environmental Awareness Days.

The event was well covered by the media—KHON broadcasted several news items on the Awareness Day, and the Star-Bulletin included a fun photograph from the event.

Agricultural and Environmental Awareness Day is born out of an idea from Terry Sekioka from the Cooperative Extension Office on Kauai and Sue Keller from Kauai Farm Bureau. It has been held on Kauai for 11 years. Last year, for the first time, it was spread to Hilo, and this year to Oahu. Due to its success in creating greater awareness about agriculture and natural resources, CTAHR hopes to continue this event on all islands every year.

Thanks to the many volunteers from CTAHR, and the presenters from CTAHR and other organizations who were key to providing this educational opportunity to the students. We would especially like to thank Steve Nagano, Ethel Murata, and the UGC volunteers for hosting the event, and the Waialee station staff for setting up and breaking down the tents. Thanks also to our deans and others from CTAHR and its advisory board, as well as Representative Mark Takai, who came out to support us that day. We hope that those who volunteered this year will generously do so and join us again next year and those who weren’t able to participate this year will join us next year so that you can say, “Yes, I am smarter than a fifth grader,” or at least, “I helped a fifth grader become smarter than me!”

Bright and early on the morning of September 21, 2007, 19 students along with 6 staff members from the CTAHR Academic and Student Affairs Office and Co-Curricular Activities, Programs and Services Office departed for Hilo on the Big Island for the fourth annual Meaningful Experience trip. Our journey began with a tour of the historic Hilo Bay where we learned about the local history and culture from a few stores in the area. Our first site was the Pacific Tsunami Center, where we learned about the formations and destruction of historical Tsunami’s throughout the world. We then studied the local culture and heritage of Hawaiian prints at Sig Zane’s clothing store. Finally, we concluded our tour by visiting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, where we learned about the preservation and marine life of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. After lunch at Kuhio Grille, we visited Green Point Nursery where Harold Tanouye educated us about the production line and breeding of different types of anthuriums. Continuing on our trip, we visited DeLuz Woods where we were treated to a special demonstration of Dan’s craftsmanship with wood. While there, we toured his store and observed all of his beautiful wood carvings. We ended our long day of sightseeing by checking into the Kilauea Military Camp and participating in memorable leadership and team building activities planned by Lisa Kitagawa of Co-Curricular Activities, Programs, and Services at UH Manoa.

After an early morning breakfast and weather in the 60’s, the group toured the Kilauea Crater at Halema‘uma‘u. The group enjoyed visiting the different parts of the tour, which included the Jaggar Museum, steam vents, sulfur banks, Thurston lava tube, and the 1982 lava flow. After the crater rim drive, we took the bus to take a tour of the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center. While there, we enjoyed watching a show on the evolution of Earth and interacted with the various scientific exhibits. After the astronomy center, we concluded our trip with a tour and free taste testing of the delicious candies, cookies, coffees, and other goodies from the Big Island Candies store. Overall, the students and staff from CTAHR had a very fun and memorable experience while creating life-long friendships.

Pirates, a fairy princess, Wonder Woman, the Queen of Hearts, and Barney were just some of the identities that people assumed that night. After those in costume paraded around the lawn, costume contest judges narrowed down the competition to five finalists. By a show of applause, the little Darth Vader, Kahia Acopan, emerged from the dark side with the first place prize. Throughout the evening gift cards, movie packs, CTAHR gift sets and other great door prizes were given away. Everyone waited anxiously for the grand prize giveaway of an iPod Nano, which was won by Family Resources student, Courtney Takase.

Without many generous donations, this event would not have been possible. CTAHR would like to thank Meadow Gold, Aloun Farms, Dole, Matsuda Fukuyama Farms, Kamiya Gold Inc., Charles Nelson, Harriet Iwamura, Allene Chun, Craig Okazaki, and Drs. Skip Bittenbender, Ken Leonhardt, Robert Paull, James Brewbaker, Joe DeFrank, Charly Kinoshita, and Stephen Ferreira. A big thanks also goes out to CTAHR graduate students James Leary, Mike Melzer, and Pierriden Perez for initiating and planning the event, as well as Dean Andrew Hashimoto for providing funds to support the event on behalf of CTAHR.