Introduced and planted the first demonstration field of six low-chill blueberry varieties at Waimea, Hawaii.  The preliminary study identified varieties, cultural practices, production potential, and pest and disease issues at a mid-level elevation in Hawaii.  The high yield, good quality and off season production encouraged further investigation of blueberry culture in Hawaii.

Developed a cultural management system for 'Kaimana' litchi using heavy pruning and fertilizer manipulation to synchronize and condition vegetative growth to best respond to flower induction at marginal cool temperatures.  The protocol is being tested in Kona, Hamakua and Hilo after being successfully demonstrated in successive seasons in Hilo that produced an average of 100 lb of fruits per tree per season.

Etiological studies of pre- and post-harvest diseases of tropical fruit germplasm including longan (Pestalotiopsis, Collectotrichum, Phomopsis and Lasmenia) and rambutan (Lasmenia, Pestalotiopsis, Gliocephalotrichum and Phomopsis).  Dolabra nepheliae was isolated for the first time from rambutan, and voucher specimens were deposited at the U.S. National Fungus Collection (HI on Nephelium BPI 878189).

Introduced the growing of high quality tea, Camellia sinensis, as a high value niche crop in Hawaii.  The unit identified four potential varieties and provides germplasm to interested growers.  We were the first group to plant demonstration fields in Waimea and Volcano (2001 - 2005), and formulated simple microwave processing to demonstrate Hawaii grown tea qualities.  The crop has since been adopted by the growers.

Developed a system to produce bacterial wilt-free ginger seed rhizomes using In vitro culture, sanitation, rhizome selection and soil-free greenhouse regeneration (2001 - 2003).  Information and clean seed rhizomes were provided to the Hawaii ginger industry.