Pacific Entomology Conference

Sometimes you get assigned a task at work that is very enjoyable. This week was one of those. My colleague Dean Mosdell had paid to sponsor the Pacific entomology conference but then was not able to go. I was informed by my boss that I would need to represent Syngenta at this meeting as we had sponsored the luncheon on the first day of the conference. So on Monday March 30th I was on the plane to Honolulu to attend the conference.
As I boarded the flight I was handed a new seat assignment in First class. Unfortunately it was seat 1A which is on the bulk head and has limited leg room and you can't have your bag with you. So I count that as half an upgrade because you do get wined and dined during the flight.
I stayed at the Ala Moana hotel where Syngenta has a corporate rate. I was upgraded to a King size room with an ocean view. I even had a balcony I could go sit on in the evening.

The view from my balcony. My room (arrow)

Monday evening I had my usual meal at the Cheese Burger in Waikiki. After dinner I went for an extended walk along Ala Wei way to get my 10000 steps for the day.

Diamond Head from Ala Wei Avenue

Tuesday morning I met Julian Yates from the University of Hawaii and Carlton Agena from Terminix to go inspect the three homes we treated with Altriset last spring.
My friend Sam Andrus sent me a text with a Shave Ice and bakery he recommended I visit. After the inspections Julian Yates took me by the Waiola Save Ice store for a lilikoi (passion fruit) shave ice.

The Pacific Entomology conference was held at the Hilton Hotel in Waikiki. Wednesday's session was on bio security in the pacific islands. The highlight of the day was the entomologists dream dessert. After lunch (which was unusually good for a hotel banquet) the chef came into the conference hall and described the dessert that was made with an island theme. There was a pineapple and banana tart with ice cream, a Kahlua coffee chocolate moose and a praline made with native mealy worms. It actually was very tasty. Much better than termites which I have eaten before. My colleague Dean's comment was "$4000 for a wormy meal". I thought it was worth it.

Thursday the conference was about control of invasive ant species in the islands. Syngenta has worked with the state of Hawaii and with California in the channel islands to help eradicate invasive ant species so I found this session very interesting. The invasive ants have really caused some problems particularly for marine birds that nest on the islands.

Christina Boser talks about Argentine Ant eradication efforts on Santa Cruz island

Friday morning was a Syngenta holiday so I had the day off. I was up early and walked 3 miles to Leonard's Bakery (in business since 1952) to try Malasada's for breakfast. A Malasada is a Portuguese pastry that is like a donut without a hole and filled with a cream filling. I had chocolate, cream, and coconut filled ones. I probably should have just eaten 2 but they were very good.

Luckily I had to walk back to the hotel so the over 6 mile round trip probably helped burn up the calories from this breakfast. 

The rest of the morning was spent packing and waiting to go to the airport to meet Susie who was coming for the weekend.