ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokahi │ One learns from many sources │ A web publication from the Office of the Chancellor, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
The UH Hilo ʻohana had fun at the annual fall festival hosted by the agriculture college.
Enjoying the 20205 Fall Ag Fest are, from left, Shelby Iwamoto, Academic Curriculum and Graduate Program Officer; Rodney Jubilado, Chair of the Division of Humanities; and Cherilyn Keliʻi-Marumoto, Academic Support Specialist for Academic Affairs. (Photo: Norman Arancon/CAFNRM/UH Hilo)From left, Kealohilani Grace and Sharlei Iranon, both tropical agriculture students, at the Ag Fest, Nov. 21, 2025. The two students grew the poinsettias as part of their directed studies class this fall. (Photo: Marisa Miyashiro/CAFNRM/UH Hilo)
The event featured colorful arrangements of both red and white poinsettias, called “Pua Kalikimaka” in Hawaiian meaning “Christmas Flower,” which were grown by UH Hilo ag students at the university’s Agricultural Farm Laboratory in Panaʻewa.
In addition to the poinsettia, for sale from the university’s farm was honey from the apiary and horsehair keychains from the farm’s horses (proceeds go to horse program). The Pacific Aquaculture Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center was selling poke seasoning, shell earrings, and ornaments (proceeds go to PACRC student training fund).
Also at this year’s festival were free gifts including produce (lettuce, citrus, avocado), honey mustard pretzels, popcorn, and dog food. There were also dog and goat visits, a live oyster and water quality demonstration, and live entertainment!
Plant sale, treasures and giveaways
The poinsettias at the festival were grown by UH Hilo ag students at the university’s Agricultural Farm Laboratory in Panaʻewa. (Photo: Marisa Miyashiro/CAFNRM/UH Hilo)
UH Hilo Farm Technician Tai Salinger talks to faculty members at the festival. (Photo: Marisa Miyashiro/CAFNRM/UH Hilo)
From left, Animal Health Management student Camryn Hilder and Livestock Technician Saraswati Tokura-Ellsworth (Photo: Norman Arancon/CAFNRM/UH Hilo)
Students (from left) Natalie Trumbo, Ioane Miller, and Leah Acasia-Kalaiwaa from a course on sustainable agriculture (AG230) at giveaway table. (Photo: Norman Arancon/CAFNRM/UH Hilo)
Entertainment
UH Hilo student Matthew Golin (Aeronautical Science) plays violin at the 2025 Ag Fest on Nov. 21, 2025, at the Mookini Library lānai. (Photo: Norman Arancon/CAFNRM/UH Hilo)
Yoshika Fujimoto, student from Japan majoring in Tropical Agriculture, sings and plays ukulele. (Photo: Norman Arancon/CAFNRM/UH Hilo)
Vicky Lee, student majoring in Tropical Agriculture, sings. (Photo: Norman Arancon/CAFNRM/UH Hilo)
From left, director of the agriculture college Norman Arancon performs duet with UH Hilo double major English/marine science student Erin Smith. (Photo: Marisa Miyashiro/CAFNRM/UH Hilo)
From left, Matthew Golin playing violin, Yoshiko Fujmoto, and Vicky Lee. (Photo: Norman Arancon/CAFNRM/UH Hilo)
Hip hop group from left, community members Zoe Kaneshiro and Chloe Dellinger with Adam Onishi, Administrative Officer at Academic Affairs. (Photo: Norman Arancon/CAFNRM/UH Hilo)
Group performs hip hop at the 2025 Fall Ag Fest. (Photo: Norman Arancon/CAFNRM/UH Hilo)
Goats and dogs!
UH Hilo farm’s Animal Science Technician Cyra Tomono tends to the event’s mascots, goats! (Photo: Norman Arancon/CAFNRM/UH Hilo)
Farm Manager Jake Rodrique visits with Bao, one of the dogs brought to the festival by Assistant Professor of Applied Agricultural Sciences Lissa Tsutsumi, and former college staff and alum Kealakaʻi Matsumoto. (Photo: Marisa Miyashiro/CAFNRM/UH Hilo)
Farm Manager Jake Rodrique plays with Bao, one of the festivalʻs mascots. (Photo: Marisa Miyashiro/CAFNRM/UH Hilo)
More about UH Hilo’s agriculture programs
Story by Susan Enright, public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.
