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<DIV><EM>from the Hawai'i Reporter</EM></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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<H1 class=singlePageTitle>Governor Enacts Measure for Bee Hive Research,
Proclaims ‘Hawai'i Pollinator Week’</H1>
<DIV align=center>
<DIV style="WIDTH: 310px" id=attachment_51236 class="wp-caption alignright"><A
class=highslide
href="http://www.hawaiireporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Screen-shot-2012-06-12-at-6.33.57-AM.png"
getParams="null" jQuery17108248969131365353="21"><IMG
class="size-medium wp-image-51236" title="HONEY BEE ON AN OHIA FLOWER" alt=""
src="http://www.hawaiireporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Screen-shot-2012-06-12-at-6.33.57-AM-300x276.png"
width=300 height=276></A>
<P class=wp-caption-text>Honey Bee on an Ohia Flower. Photo by Ethel
Villalobos/Science</P></DIV>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=center><EM><STRONG>REPORT FROM THE GOVERNOR'S
OFFICE</STRONG></EM> – In an effort to raise awareness of a threat within the
State’s agricultural economy, Governor Neil Abercrombie this afternoon
proclaimed June 18-24 as “Hawai'i Pollinator Week.” Governor Abercrombie also
signed into law a measure that will aid Hawai'i’s fight to control pests and
diseases that have been impacting the state’s bee populations.</P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">House Bill 2100 appropriates $30,000 to the
University of Hawai'i (UH) system for bee hive research done in consultation
with the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture on Hawai'i Island, Maui, O'ahu and
Kaua'i. This will include work being performed at UH Hilo’s 110-acre Panaewa
farm to develop more efficient methods for controlling the small hive beetle, a
major pest of honey bee hives on Hawai'i Island.</P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">“Bees are particularly important as pollinators for
our macadamia nut and coffee industries; bee-pollinated crops contribute about
$106 million to our local economy,” said Governor Abercrombie. “The University
of Hawai'i is leading research that will help to protect many of Hawai'i’s own
native pollinators, including seven species of yellow-faced bees that are
candidates for the endangered species list.</P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Hawai'i Pollinator Week coincides with National
Pollinator Week to raise awareness of the issue of declining pollinator
populations. In Hawai'i, there has reportedly been significant hive loss
attributed to the Varroa mite, small hive beetle and diseases. Loss of bee hives
is a threat to the agricultural economy on all islands because bees are
necessary to pollinate many crops.</P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Governor Abercrombie added: “By marking Hawai'i
Pollinator Week in conjunction with National Pollinator Week, our state is
helping to create a positive ‘buzz’ around bees and promote bee health as a
vital component to healthy food systems and natural ecosystems.”</P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">UH Hilo has been offering an introductory course on
beekeeping for more than 20 years, and now also offers an advanced beekeeping
course that allows students to build upon their acquired skills with independent
projects that include research and creative
activities.</P></DIV></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>