TropHTIRC was well-represented at the 2014 Hawaii Conservation Conference (HCC). TropHTIRC coordinator, Faith Inman-Narahari, organized a special forum to discuss forest restoration with koa.
At the koa restoration forum, Faith Inman-Narahari, Charles Michler, Robert Hauff, Thomas Baribault, Irene Sprecher, James B. Friday, and Nicklos Dudley gave presentations related to different aspects of koa silviculture and breeding for effective conservation and restoration. The forum was attended by a large and very engaged audience.
Several TropHTIRC members and collaborators also presented posters on a wide array of koa-related topics including the genetics of koa form and growth (Oriana Rueda Krauss), Next-Gen genomic sequencing of koa to understand genetic responses to environmental gradients (Shaneka Lawson, pg. 3), koa moth damage at Hakalau (Faith Inman-Narahari, pg. 5), and koa vegetative propagation (Erin Hickey, pg. 8).
We also had a booth to inform students and the audience in general about the activities and opportunities with the TropHTIRC. During the breaks we had fun raffling hats and posters (thanks again to Hawaii Forest Industry Association!).
