The two retired professors—pillars of the UH Hilo College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management—are honored for their 87 combined years of service.
Retired professors Mike Tanabe and Bill Sakai were among several widely respected faculty from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo who were honored for their years of service at a recent event hosted by Interim Chancellor Marcia Sakai.
Mike Tanabe
It is not an overstatement to say that Professor of Plant Science Michael Tanabe is one of the state’s foremost experts on tissue culture in Hawai‘i. His contributions and influence are evidenced by many of his former students who are now entrepreneurial owners, laboratory supervisors, and laboratory technicians in firms involved in tissue culture. He served at the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management for 42 years. Learn more about Mike Tanabe’s teaching and research.
Bill Sakai
After devoting almost his entire professional years to the University of Hawai‘i—four years at UH Mānoa and 41 years at UH Hilo—Professor of Horticulture William Sakai retired a few months ago. Among faculty at the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management, Professor Sakai was the lead example for hands-on learning, the core philosophy of teaching and learning at the college. Learn more about Bill Sakai’s teaching and research.