History of the HI-ASM

It’s always great to know how things started. Not necessarily “news” but Dr. Lieberman found this article from a 1974 ASM News (“Diamond Jubilee”) issue:

“The Hawaii Branch - American Society for Microbiology was formed in 1965, under the direction of Albert Benedict (Chairman of the Department of Microbiology, University of Hawaii). The late Max Levine, internationally known bacteriologist, served as the Branch’s first president.

The Branch’s main objective is to promote a close scientific relationship among persons interested in microbiology in the state of Hawaii and the non-US Pacific area, through the media of presenting papers, personal associations, and interchange of ideas concerning microbiological problems.

Two meetings are held annually. The spring meetings are scheduled with the presentations of scientific papers by graduate students, professors, professional microbiologists, and other scientists. The fall meetings are scheduled with guest lecturers, either local or from the US mainland.

The Branch participates in the annual Science Fairs of the local intermediate schools and high schools by presenting book awards to three student winners specializing in microbiology. Beginning in 1975, the Branch will be awarding monetary gifts to graduate students for excellence in their organization and presentation of scientific papers in the Branch’s annual spring meetings.”