State Encourages Maui Beekeepers to Join Registry

HDOA courtesy photo.

By Wendy Osher

State officials will host an informational Maui meeting on the current status of honeybees in Hawai’i.

The meeting takes place at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, March 23, at the University of Hawai’i Maui College, Kalama room 103.

Featured speakers include Michael Andree of the Bee Informed Partnership, who is visiting Hawai`i to collect data on bees; and  Lauren Rusert, technician with the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture’s Apiary Program, who will provide information on the local bee situation.

The goal of the BIP program is to help in determining management practices to reduce losses in bee colonies across the nation.  The program is made possible through a $5 million, five years appropriation from the US Department of Agriculture.

The Hawai’i Apiary Program encourages Hawai’i beekeepers to join the now year-old Beekeepers Registry.  Information obtained in the registry, provides an avenue for state officials to keep beekeepers informed of industry developments.

State officials say, only five Maui beekeepers have registered so far, out of the 81 registered beekeepers statewide.