Posted on: Thursday, September 30, 2004
Kaua'i agronomist named to UH Board of Regents
By David Waite
Advertiser Staff Writer
Gov. Linda Lingle has appointed a retired University of Hawai'i professor with strong ties to Kaua'i to the UH Board of Regents.
Ramón S. de la Peña will replace Charles Kawakami as the Kaua'i representative on the 12-member board. Since 2001, de la Peña has served as professor emeritus at the UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. He was an agronomist and professor from 1983 to 2001. "I'm very excited — the Board of Regents is a very good place to serve the community," de la Peña said from his home in the Wailua Homestead area of Kaua'i. "I'm very thankful to the governor for this great opportunity." Kawakami was appointed by former Gov. Ben Cayetano and his four-year term ended June 30, but Lingle asked him to serve until his replacement was found.
Because de la Peña was appointed on an interim basis, he will be able to participate in board affairs immediately while awaiting confirmation by the state Senate when the Legislature convenes in January. "I have every confidence that Dr. de la Peña will be an outstanding addition to the Board of Regents," Lingle said. His research includes methods to improve wetland and dryland taro through selection and breeding, and tropical root and tuber crops, rice, corn and other plants. He has published more than 80 scientific papers.
He said he has a soft spot in his heart for the UH College of Tropical Agriculture.
"But we have Kaua'i Community College on this island and it does a good job for young people that can't afford to go to Manoa or to school on the Mainland," he said.
He said new technologies could help Neighbor Island students attain degrees without leaving home. One of his sons recently used an interactive television program to earn a master's degree in business administration from UH.
De la Peña, who was born in the Philippines, holds a doctorate in agronomy and soil science from UH in 1967, his master's in plant physiology from UH in 1964 and his bachelor's in plant physiology from the University of the Philippines in 1958. Reach David Waite at dwaite@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-7412.
