Join CTAHR Dean Parwinder Grewal as he shares the College's vision of a more resilient Hawai'i.
Communities filled with abundant local food; with more local entrepreneurs driving our economy and creating jobs for our keiki and neighbors; and with more support for local families and communities, empowering everyone to thrive in our islands.
Jason Gilbert, Director of Administrative Services, presents this session for all interested participants to connect administrative staff team members to the broader CTAHR team across the state.
He will provide an overview of the vision for improved Administrative Services and a snapshot of the current resource environment for CTAHR operations.
Led by Jessica Radovich, of CTAHR's Office of Community Engagement and Communication, presenters will share new ideas and fresh thinking created with CTAHR Research & Extension collaborations.
Presenters Adela's Country Eatery X Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering (MBBE) The Pantry X CTAHR Cooperative Extension Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology X Natural Resources and Environmental Management (NREM)
PechaKucha (Japanese, to mean chit-chat) is a storytelling format in which a presenter shows 20 slides for 20 seconds per slide. This timed talk is defined by “talk less, show more” in 6 minutes and 40 seconds. PechaKucha’s will be presented in a group. Discussions will offered after the PechaKucha session, to allow for further discussion on the topic.
Michael Cheang:Prevalence of Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Members of a University-based Lifelong Learning Program. Being socially isolated and lonely may result in negative health outcomes—increased risks of depression, anxiety, heart disease, stroke, suicide, a 50% increased risk of dementia, and mortality. Find out what factors increase the risks of socially isolation and loneliness.
Rosemary Gutierrez-Coarite, Jacqueline Jamison, Amjad Ahmad: Increasing the number of sweet potato storage roots to increase the yield of sweet potato crops in Hawaii.This project was conducted to assess different soil moisture levels and soil nutrients to improve water and fertilizer use efficiency while increasing the yield and quality of sweet potatoes.
Yunuen Bustamante, Melelani Oshiro:Avian Influenza in Hawaii: Research, Challenges, and Controversies. The fertilizer treatments were only significantly different in the irrigated control and the lowest moisture treatment. Marketable yield was highest in the irrigated control that received no fertilizer, and lowest in the low moisture treatment that received fertilizer. As irrigation was reduced, yield was also reduced, and the number of off-grade small tubers increased. In the irrigated control, adding fertilizer reduced the number and weight of marketable tubers, especially in the AA grade, and increased the number and weight of large, off-grade tubers. In the lowest moisture treatment, there were a lot of “pencil roots” due to inadequate moisture during tuber development, and few marketable tubers in both the fertilized and unfertilized treatments.
In this jigsaw panel presentation, six CTAHR faculty will focus on challenges for Hawai'i’s families at different stages in the lifecycle and how we might reduce burdens on ʻohana while fostering family resilience. Topics include child care, mental health, food as medicine, and healthy aging.
I am a sociologist specializing in medical sociology, the demography of aging, and survey methodology. My work involves multidisciplinary research, community needs assessment, program evaluation, and community education, all aimed at creating and translating credible, research-based... Read More →
Extension Agent, University of Hawaii Manoa Cooperative Extension
Nancy Ooki is an Extension Agent with the University of Hawaii Manoa Cooperative Extension Faculty for Maui County 4-H and Youth Development Programs. She works with faculty at the University of Hawai‘i and other universities to design curricula and implement programs that support... Read More →
Thursday April 10, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am HST
CC307
Abstract In this jigsaw panel presentation, six CTAHR faculty will focus on key challenges for Hawaii’s families at different stages in the lifecycle and how we might ameliorate these concerns and foster family resilience. Topics include (a) access to affordable, high-quality child care and early education; (b) the risks and benefits when grandparents serve as child caretakers; (c) declines in youth mental health and social skills in the wake of the Maui wildfires; (d) developing a culturally-responsive family therapy workforce; (e) food and nutrition support prescriptions to improve health and food security of Medicaid patients; and (f) coordinating culturally-grounded, community-based fall prevention strategies and programs for kūpuna. We invite audience engagement as we discuss the scope of these problems and offer promising solutions.
In this presentation will introduce the Children's Healthy Living Food System grant and work by the CTAHR Extension team and outreach program (CHL FSEO). Presenters will showcase creating logic models and then translating logic models into causal loop diagrams, and how this can be used by communities.
Authors: Rachel Novotny, PhD, RDN, LD (University of Hawaii, UH), Leslie Shallcross, MS (University of Alaska at Fairbanks), Patricia Coleman, BS (Northern Marianas College), Tanisha Aflague, PhD, RDN (University of Guam), Travis Fleming, BS (American Samoa Community College), Peter Hovmand, PhD (Case Western Reserve)
The Forest Stewards is a peer-to-peer learning program for private forest landowners. Participants learn about forest management in a 3-day workshop then work in their communities to share what they learned.
Thursday April 10, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm HST
CC309
Abstract Almost half of all forest lands in Hawaii are privately owned. Forest landowners need to deal with threats to forest health and productivity including pests and diseases, invasive weeds, and wildfires and need to be aware of opportunities to protect and restore forests. The Forest Stewards is a peer-to-peer learning program designed to help teach forest landowners how to care for their land and how to reach out to their friends, neighbors, and community with information on good forest practices. Participants attend a three-day workshop where they learn about forest ecology and management, invasive species, wildfire, and restoration but also taxes, availability of assistance programs, and the importance of forests in Hawaiian culture. In return for the program, which is provided free of charge, participants agree to “give back” by performing at least 30 hours of service in reaching out to their communities. These volunteers greatly extend the reach of the CTAHR forestry extension program. Past participants have hosted neighbors and community visits to their forests to pass on what they learned, drafted legislation to expand the Native Forest Dedication for County property taxes, and served as landowner representatives on statewide advisory commissions. The Forest Stewards program continues to generate hundreds of hours of volunteer time annually, with some graduates continuing their involvement year after year.
PechaKucha (Japanese, to mean chit-chat) is a storytelling format in which a presenter shows 20 slides for 20 seconds per slide. This timed talk is defined by “talk less, show more” in 6 minutes and 40 seconds. PechaKucha’s will be presented in a group. Discussions will offered after the PechaKucha session, to allow for further discussion on the topic.
Michael Cheang:Prevalence of Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Members of a University-based Lifelong Learning Program. Being socially isolated and lonely may result in negative health outcomes—increased risks of depression, anxiety, heart disease, stroke, suicide, a 50% increased risk of dementia, and mortality. Find out what factors increase the risks of socially isolation and loneliness.
Rosemary Gutierrez-Coarite: Increasing the number of sweet potato storage roots to increase the yield of sweet potato crops in Hawaii.This project was conducted to assess different soil moisture levels and soil nutrients to improve water and fertilizer use efficiency while increasing the yield and quality of sweet potatoes.
Yunuen Bustamante:Avian Influenza in Hawaii: Research, Challenges, and Controversies. The fertilizer treatments were only significantly different in the irrigated control and the lowest moisture treatment. Marketable yield was highest in the irrigated control that received no fertilizer, and lowest in the low moisture treatment that received fertilizer. As irrigation was reduced, yield was also reduced, and the number of off-grade small tubers increased. In the irrigated control, adding fertilizer reduced the number and weight of marketable tubers, especially in the AA grade, and increased the number and weight of large, off-grade tubers. In the lowest moisture treatment, there were a lot of “pencil roots” due to inadequate moisture during tuber development, and few marketable tubers in both the fertilized and unfertilized treatments.
Solution Rooms are 20 minute presentations, followed by 10 minutes of questions by the audience. In the Solution Room, these topics are useful, practical, and applied topics that may be relevant to peers or stakeholders. Two solution presentations will be presented in an hour slot.
Nancy Ooki: Don't Panic and Carry a Big Brain! Liz Fischer: Disaster Preparedness, CTAHR's role for H5N1 - Avian Flu
Extension Agent, University of Hawaii Manoa Cooperative Extension
Nancy Ooki is an Extension Agent with the University of Hawaii Manoa Cooperative Extension Faculty for Maui County 4-H and Youth Development Programs. She works with faculty at the University of Hawai‘i and other universities to design curricula and implement programs that support... Read More →
Extension Agent for Intergenerational and Youth Development Programs, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
Marielle Hampton is a junior extension agent for intergenerational and youth development programs with the University of Hawai‘i’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR). Marielle has worked in food systems on Hawai‘i Island since 2012 and earned her M.S... Read More →
CTAHR UH Extension Agent (4H), University of Hawaii
Hallie Cristobal is from the westside of the island of Kauai. She is the Kauai Junior Extension Agent with the University of Hawaii at Manoa at CTAHR. She currently has a Bachelor's in Health Promotion and Nutrition Education, as well as a Masters of Science in Curriculum Design... Read More →
Mehana Vaughan is a professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, and with Sea Grant, and Hui ʻĀina Momona. Dr. Vaughan is the author of Kaiāulu: Gathering Tides an ethnography of her and her families connection to Hawai’i, and a rich description of Hawai’i today.
She will convene a panel to discuss aʻaliʻi and resilience for Hawai’i.
E Ulu E - Hands-on ulu starter workshop with Jensen Uyeda. ʻAʻaliʻi seed planting workshop with Derrick Kiyabu. Aquaculture learning opportunity with Dr. Kai Fox. All in the malu of Hale Tuahine!
Abstract Abstract: Revitalizing Aloha ʻĀina at Hale Tuahine This presentation at the 2025 CTAHR Conference, themed "He ʻAʻaliʻi Kū Makani: Resilience through Innovation," highlights hands-on workshops and learning opportunities focused on revitalizing aloha ʻāina at Hale Tuahine. The event features three key components: E Ulu E - Hands-on Ulu Starter Workshop with Jensen Uyeda: Participants will learn about cultivating ulu, a staple in Hawaiian culture, emphasizing sustainable practices and community engagement. ʻAʻaliʻi Seed Planting Workshop with Derrick Kiyabu: This workshop focuses on planting and caring for ʻaʻaliʻi seeds, a native Hawaiian plant known for its resilience and adaptability, promoting environmental stewardship. Aquaculture Learning Opportunity with Dr. Kai Fox: Kai will share insights on aquaculture innovations, supporting the growth of Hawaii's aquaculture industry through research and education. These workshops, held in the malu of Hale Tuahine, aim to foster community knowledge and engagement in sustainable practices, aligning with the conference's theme of resilience and innovation while bringing new life to this wahi.
Local growers, designers, CTAHR Extension agents, and researchers will share the successes and challenges of promoting Hawai'i-grown products. Mahalo to the Hawai'i Floriculture and Nursery Association for their partnership!
Abstract The Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association (HFNA) and the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) at the University of Hawaii have established a robust partnership to enhance the visibility and economic impact of Hawaii-grown floriculture products. This collaboration encompasses several key initiatives: 1)Product Promotion and Knowledge Dissemination: Annual Design Workshops showcase locally grown products while the annual research seminars disseminate up-to-date research findings to industry stakeholders. 2)Workforce Development: To cultivate future generations of floriculture professionals, HFNA, in collaboration with CTAHR, conducts training workshops for Department of Education (DOE) high school teachers, facilitating the integration of floriculture education into secondary curricula. 3) Strategic Breeding Program Guidance: The CTAHR tropical flower breeding program benefits from the expertise of a Professional Advisory Team comprised of experienced growers and accredited floral designers. This collaborative model ensures that hybrid selections possess strong commercial viability and align with market demands. These synergistic efforts have increased awareness of the value and quality of Hawaii-grown floriculture products, contributing to the industry's sustained growth and competitiveness.
Abstract Hawaii has a complex mix of environmental problems such as, resource import dependence, loss of biodiversity, and rising sea levels. The impacts of changes in public policy can have far-reaching consequences, and these changes need to have people from different backgrounds and communities integrated into their design. This presentation focuses on how economists, policy analysts, sociologists, and community leaders can meaningfully contribute towards achieving Hawaii's sustainability objectives. Policymakers consider the analysis of economists who assess the financial ramifications of environmental policies along with the benefits such as energy renewables subsidies and costs, like carbon emissions taxes. The sociological perspectives would aim at solving the problem also exist, like encouraging civic participation through understanding people's social and cultural values of the target audience. Grassroots and indigenous local leaders, as well as other non-governmental actors, have a deep understanding of the local socio-political context. They use this understanding to make sure that policies and programs formulated are culturally sensitive and politically feasible.
Mindfulness—the practice of present-moment awareness with openness and non-judgment—has been shown in the lab and across a variety of different contexts to enhance both personal well-being, creativity, and astute professionalism. By cultivating mindfulness, one can develop greater emotional regulation, mitigate burnout and anxiety, cognitive overload, and enhance resilience.
A cultivation of the right attention and awareness can also foster better work-life balance. A mindful scientist and citizen is more likely to engage in open-minded inquiry, listen deeply, and approach challenges with greater fines and composure.
This session intends to provide a brief, informal overview of mindfulness, including tips & basic practice as part of skillful living. Open discussion and dialogue will be encouraged to promote sharing and reflection and how to apply the “simple but not easy” practice to daily life.
Thao N. Le, PhD, MPH is currently serving as Professor & Chair in the Family Consumer Sciences Department in CTAHR. She received her Masters in Public Health in Behavioral Sciences at the University of California Berkeley, and PhD in Psychology at the University of California Davis.Her... Read More →
Solution Rooms are 20 minute presentations, followed by 10 minutes of questions by the audience. In the Solution Room, these topics are useful, practical, and applied topics that may be relevant to peers or stakeholders. Two solution presentations will be presented in an hour slot.
Emilie Kirk:Tools for Navigating Language Barriers Clay Taurernicht:Extension Resources for Wildfire Planning and Mitigation
Researchers together with state government, entrepreneurs, land stewards and community nonprofits will showcase how their partnerships have woven relationships across historical boundaries to produce meaningful change for community resilience. From soil health to ranching, agroforestry to local workforce development, and ecosystem restoration to Indigenous genealogy, this panel has formed long lasting, synergistic and abundant partnerships with each other in order to implement new ways to support biocultural agroecosystems in a changing world.
Abstract Collaborations across historical differences and sectoral boundaries are essential to realizing systemic change. This panel’s emerging alliance explores how restoring individual relationships to land can decrease collective climate vulnerability through improved resilience and adaptation in landscapes and communities. Panelists will discuss how a multiplicity of connections can be made when researchers ground themselves in a willingness to understand community, acknowledge community agency, affirm the value of community, and conduct themselves with clear and honest intent. This group represents active relationships that support access to opportunities for biocultural agroecosystem restoration and regeneration across broad agriculture and natural resource sectors. Weaving from policy, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, advocacy, land management practices, and Indigenous genealogy, this panel collaborates via transparency and trust to implement each of their priorities together. As connections are made to CTAHR technology and scholarship, including student internships and technical assistance, knowledge and information held in community is interwoven into these collaborative projects by ensuring respect through data governance and privacy. Attendees will be inspired by the panelistsʻ individual perspectives on what makes these collaborations work for their communities and ecosystems as they engage with the resources that CTAHR and the research community provide.
Lightning Talks are 5-minute presentations that forces the speaker to quickly and succinctly relay meaningful impacts from their research or program.
Young Cho:Advancing Hawaiian Resilience: Investigating the Impact of Environmental Stress on Tropical Crops Across CTAHR Research Stations. Andy Kaufman:Tropical Green Roof and Living Wall Research Center. Nan Jiang:Flavonoid pathway intermediates unveil novel functions for the UV-B receptor UVR8. Ashley McGuigan:Southwest Climate Hub: Progress in Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands. Emilie Kirk: Farm Doctor - A Collaborative Twist on a Classic Extension Approach. Amjad Ahmad: Producing biochar from invasive species to reclaim arable land and improve soil properties and crop production. Garrett Roell: Collaborative Science: AI-Powered Web Tools for Expanding Research Reach Kyle Barber: Efficient On-Farm Composting: Demonstration and Outreach for Farmers
Solution Rooms are 20 minute presentations, followed by 10 minutes of questions by the audience. In the Solution Room, these topics are useful, practical, and applied topics that may be relevant to peers or stakeholders. Two solution presentations will be presented in an hour slot.
Jeff Goodwin:Extension Agent Paradoxical Superpowers Sharon Wages:Food Safety
Join us for an enlightening panel discussion where students and internship site partners come together to share their firsthand experiences and insights.
From finding the best fit to maximizing learning opportunities, our panelists will offer invaluable advice and stories about their adventures in internships.Whether you're a student seeking guidance or an internship provider looking to enhance your program, this event promises to offer practical strategies and inspiration for success.
Hands-on workshop to create centerpieces for the CTAHR Banquet using Hawaii-grown floral products.
Suitable for all levels of floral design experience, participants will learn basic techniques and knowledge on the principles and elements of design to create a flower arrangement using Hawaiʻi-grown flower products.
Abstract The Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association (HFNA) and the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) at the University of Hawaii have established a robust partnership to enhance the visibility and economic impact of Hawaii-grown floriculture products. This collaboration encompasses several key initiatives: 1)Product Promotion and Knowledge Dissemination: Annual Design Workshops showcase locally grown products while the annual research seminars disseminate up-to-date research findings to industry stakeholders. 2)Workforce Development: To cultivate future generations of floriculture professionals, HFNA, in collaboration with CTAHR, conducts training workshops for Department of Education (DOE) high school teachers, facilitating the integration of floriculture education into secondary curricula. 3) Strategic Breeding Program Guidance: The CTAHR tropical flower breeding program benefits from the expertise of a Professional Advisory Team comprised of experienced growers and accredited floral designers. This collaborative model ensures that hybrid selections possess strong commercial viability and align with market demands. These synergistic efforts have increased awareness of the value and quality of Hawaii-grown floriculture products, contributing to the industry's sustained growth and competitiveness.
Did you know CTAHR has our own oli? Dr. Mehana Vaughn composed the chant and gifted it to the College in 2013. She will share the history and meaning of the oli and then lead participants through the chant.
