[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 55 (Thursday, March 29, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S4157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII

 Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 
University of Hawaii at Manoa's College of Tropical Agriculture and 
Human Resources, CTAHR, as they commemorate their upcoming centennial. 
I am pleased to join them in their celebration of a significant 
milestone that salutes their illustrious achievements in the past, and 
serves as an enduring foundation for many more in their future.
  CTAHR was established as a land-grant institution in 1907, and at the 
time, it was known as the College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts. 
This nascent institution of higher education was dedicated to research, 
academic instruction, and community outreach. The first students that 
enrolled during the college's inaugural academic year received 
instruction in agriculture, household economics, science, and 
engineering, all of which are still offered to students by the 
University of Hawaii. Faculty members and students identified the 
necessity for a curriculum that focused on subtropical climates in 
order to assist Hawaii's farmers. Their initiative and perseverance 
subsequently led to the development of a tropical agriculture 
curriculum, a legacy that over the last century lent itself to CTAHR's 
name, and benefited people in Hawaii, the Pacific region, and around 
the world.
  CTAHR's successes are numerous, and those in agriculture range from 
laying the basis of the macadamia nut industry world-wide, to 
cultivating Hawaii's robust anthurium cut-flower crop, and developing a 
seed corn crop export utilizing Hawaii's year-round growing season that 
was valued at $70 million during the 2005-2006 crop year. In addition, 
their accomplishments include researching remedies to the environmental 
problems caused by invasive species such as fruit flies, termites, and 
the papaya ringspot virus. Originally, these pests were eliminated 
using toxic pesticides that inflicted damaged Hawaii's precious and 
beautiful environment. CTAHR's research and development led to 
nationally honored alternative nontoxic treatments used by farmers and 
residents.
  This dedication to the health and well-being of Hawaii's residents 
extends beyond the laboratory and is demonstrated in their community 
outreach. In the 1920's CTAHR's Chair in the Home Economics Department 
was correct and prescient, when she advocated against the reliance on 
processed foods, and was essential in the nutritional assessment of 
readily available tropical and sub-tropical fruits and vegetables. 
World War II starkly highlighted Hawaii's precarious sustainability 
situation when ships once used to shuttle goods between the islands 
were serving our country in a wartime capacity. CTAHR stepped in to 
increase food production, analyze potable water, and help residents 
adapt to shortages and blackout conditions. Their outreach continues 
today, and it is exemplified by the 1991 establishment of ``The Center 
on the Family.'' This Center bolsters Hawaii's families by gathering 
information on everything from child development to elder care using an 
interdisciplinary approach of research, education, and service. All of 
the information they compile is available to families, public servants, 
service providers, educators, and students via the award-winning online 
database maintained by the center.
  None of these outstanding distinctions could have been reached if 
CTAHR did not promote and sustain their tradition of academic 
excellence. The element fundamental to all of their accolades since 
their beginning in 1907, and that continues to be at the heart of 
CTAHR's success is their commitment to meet the highest standards of 
their federally mandated charge to conduct academic instruction. I 
would like to thank Dean Andrew G. Hashimoto and his predecessors for 
their wisdom and leadership over the last 100 years. It is with great 
hope, and my best wishes for CTAHR to carry on their established legacy 
of achievement in all their future endeavors.
 Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I also wish to honor the centennial 
celebration of the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical 
Agriculture and Human Resources. The College of Tropical Agriculture 
and Human Resources, CTAHR, is the founding college of the University 
of Hawall system and its flagship campus, the University of Hawaii at 
Manoa.
  In 1907, the Hawaii Territorial Legislature established the College 
of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts under the auspices of the Morrill 
Act as a land-grant college. The first year that classes were offered, 
in 1908, the college provided agriculture, household economics, 
science, and engineering classes, all of which remain part of CTAHR's 
academic programs to this day.
  From its humble beginnings in 1907 to today, CTAHR continues to 
provide an excellent education and career development opportunities for 
students. CTAHR has developed a solid foundation in research and 
educational programs that support tropical agricultural systems and in 
turn foster viable communities, a diversified economy, and a healthy 
environment. CTAHR's researchers, instructors, and extension personnel 
continue to research and develop new crops that will reduce our 
reliance on imported foods, improve food security, and diversify 
Hawaii's agriculture to explore alternative markets. In addition, the 
college has played an integral role in further enhancing our 
understanding of environmental science and advancing agricultural and 
resource management approaches that conserve and protect Hawaii's 
natural resources.
  CTAHR offers a diverse curriculum that continues to prepare an 
educated and experienced workforce to meet the State of Hawaii's 
environmental, agricultural, animal science, dietetic, engineering, and 
human resource industry needs. CTAHR empowers both students and the 
public to learn about and proactively engage in better managing the 
limited resources of our islands. Research conducted by its faculty and 
through its undergraduate, master, and doctoral programs contribute not 
only to our local knowledge but in many cases represent field 
breakthroughs and establishment of cutting edge technologies. CTAHR 
will continue to not only enhance the physical landscape of our islands 
and improve the quality of life for all in Hawaii and across the 
Nation.
  Again, I honor the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical 
Agriculture and Human Resources for 100 years of service to the people 
of Hawaii, the Pacific region, and the Nation in its dedication to the 
development of sustainable agriculture and human resources programs to 
meet the needs of our changing communities. 

                          ____________________