On July 22, marking the 40th anniversary of Guangdong-Hawaii sister-state relations, a delegation of Hawaii state legislators visited Guangzhou to deepen agricultural and educational collaboration. The tour included Jinan University and the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences (GDAAS), yielding concrete commitments for joint innovation.
Hawaii state legislators attend the Creation 100 Exhibition, Jinan University
At Jinan University, officials advanced the "3+2 partnership," enabling dual degrees. Dr. Kevin J. Olival, the University of Hawaii's tropical agriculture research lead, underscored the visit's significance: "At a smaller scale, a sub-national scale, we have a perfect opportunity to facilitate education and research collaborations." He emphasized resilience beyond geopolitics: "Politics come and go, but solving grand challenges in science and education continues person-to-person, student-to-student."
Dane K. Wicker, Hawaii's Deputy Director of Business Development, holds a piece of woodblock printing
The delegation later inspected the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences' deep-processing technology platforms. Dane K. Wicker, Hawaii's Deputy Director of Business Development, expressed admiration for Guangdong's proactive approach: "What's fascinating standing here is the research this institute does proactively to create value-added products rather than waiting for industry action."
Discussions focused on shared challenges, including invasive species control and aging agricultural workforces. "We learned today we have similar challenges," Wicker noted, confirming bilateral commitments to "continue fostering exchange as we address our challenges."
A discussion centered on agri-tech is held at the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Science
State Senator Lynn Pualani DeCoite highlighted practical synergies after examining pest control solutions: "Your agri-research department is huge. Collaborating on similar climates—whether fruit flies or stem borers—will clearly help our exchange." She referenced historical ties through programs like SITAR (U.S.-China Joint Talent Program), where "Guangdong professors spent years researching in Hawaii," adding optimistically: "Exchanges welcoming Hawaii scholars will far supersede benefits for Hawaii. I hope Guangdong gains equally."
State Senator Lynn Pualani DeCoite exchanges views at Jinan University
As Olival observed, the partnership's strength lies in "a very long cultural history of working together," now channeled toward solving pressing agricultural and educational challenges.
Reporter: Guo Zedong, Zhang Jiayue (intern)
Photo & Video: Pan Jiajun
Video cover: Pan Jiajun
Editor: Yuan Zixiang, James, Shen He
