UH agriculture college to honor innovative nurseryman and important entomologist

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
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Posted: Jan 11, 2017

Eric Tanouye
Eric Tanouye
Ernest Harris
Ernest Harris

Anthurium grower Eric Tanouye and retired USDA entomologist Ernest J. Harris have been selected to receive UH Mānoa's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources’ top honors for 2017. Tanouye, president and general manager of Green Point Nurseries on Hawai‘i Island, will receive the Ka Lei Hano Award for his support of the college and agriculture in Hawai‘i. Harris has been named Outstanding Alumnus for developing breakthrough methods to control fruit flies. 

“Both men apply intelligence, creativity and commitment to addressing the challenges facing agriculture in the Islands,” said Rachel Novotny, interim dean of the college. “Their innovative contributions have had profound and lasting impacts on the industry in Hawai‘i.”

The two men will be honored at CTAHR’s 29th Annual Awards Banquet on Friday, May 5, 2017, at Pomaika‘i Ballrooms in Honolulu. See www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/banquet for more information.

About Eric Tanouye: A fourth-generation Hawai‘i Island farmer, Tanouye is president and general manager of Hilo-based Green Point Nurseries, a major exporter of anthuriums, orchids, and other tropical flowers and an important partner with the college in developing new flower varieties and in providing scholarship support for students. He is a founder and president of the Hawaiʻi Floriculture and Nursery Association and a valuable member of the CTAHR dean’s Advisory Council. He has also served on the Hawai‘i County Agriculture Advisory Commission and as an officer of CU Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union.

About Dr. Ernest J. Harris: During 41 years with USDA’s Agriculture Research Service (ARS) in Honolulu, Harris developed and proved innovative approaches for suppression of tephritid fruit flies, a major agricultural pest. His male annihilation, sterile release, and biological control techniques have been widely adopted in Hawai‘i and around the world. Harris earned his PhD in entomology from CTAHR in 1975 and published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles. Recipient of a 2016 Congressional Gold Medal for breaking racial barriers as one of the first black Marines, he has also been honored by the NAACP, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, and Black Hall of Fame in Arkansas, where he was born and picked cotton as a child.

About CTAHR: The founding college of the University of Hawai‘i, the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources is integral to UH Mānoa’s Carnegie designation as an R1 – Highest Research Activity university and works extensively with the citizens of Hawai‘i in fulfilling the university’s federally mandated land-grant mission of instruction, scientific research and Cooperative Extension outreach to address state needs.  

For more information, visit: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu