[Pollinator] Governor Enacts Measure for Bee Hive Research, Proclaims ‘Hawai'i Pollinator Wee

[Ladadams at aol.com]

from the Hawai'i Reporter
 
 
Governor Enacts Measure for Bee Hive Research,  Proclaims ‘Hawai'i 
Pollinator Week’
 
 
(http://www.hawaiireporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Screen-shot-2012-06-12-at-6.33.57-AM.png)  
Honey Bee on an Ohia Flower. Photo by Ethel  Villalobos/Science

REPORT FROM THE GOVERNOR'S  OFFICE – 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. 
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. 
“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. 
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. 
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.” 
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.
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